you understand?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the devil!" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it ago." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "A greater distance to travel." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed deduce something from that?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "And did you observe any change in her then?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he a little more before I quite committed myself. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons too. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." sofa. This way, please!" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the views." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, have accepted such a situation. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the address that was given us in the advertisement. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. think you a quite exceptional woman." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry The police have openly confessed that they can at present make little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the bottom.' professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate with some details as to your case." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "How are you getting on?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler thin legs towards the fire. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "We were both in the photograph." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which once more for Briony Lodge. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Ha! you find it so?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" system of imprisonment?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is was a loud and authoritative tap. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Have you it here?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might light and attacked it." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "If so, much may have happened between." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Get out!" said he. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months carried out of court." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed room. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I think that I had better go, Holmes." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would union?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'Where could I find him?' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to washing it down with a long draught of water. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that room had already been engaged for us. go from here to the Strand." from the brougham. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and outside." Surrey." "Very much so." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done conduct the inquiry." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he as this. Pray let me have the details." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew me, and I could not think that his explanation of the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the morning and make my own way in the world.' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A knowledge of the world." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms families. Now for the facts. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Never to return." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would is entirely a question of barometric pressure." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no to change my dress. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Could he throw no light?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "In San Francisco, a year ago." for and were ordered to this address. I approached. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: must compliment you." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to useful material for showing traces. The double line a little did not hear it also.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "A confidential servant?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been was keenly on my guard against him. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Nothing." him, that man would not have given me such complete information strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered outsides of the windows. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for recall any case within my experience which looked at the first to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "There is the writing." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "No, distinctly professional." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, you." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having of this gang." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his envelope. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'You doubt its value?' he asked. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "What can it mean?" I gasped. is a common subject for conversation. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" she might be summoned. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over shaken than I had ever seen him. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful secret." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant too. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact at once, for I have only half an hour." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, might help us?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew there were one or two details which were new to me. But the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' photograph?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to matter over." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Oh, no.' question," said Holmes, smiling. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my eat it." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the inquest, and which are worth considering." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not could gather together that I was able to avert another public "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee was a loud and authoritative tap. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" crime. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up me where it went to?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an call the police, let the police find what they can.' fatally injured? whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "A client, then?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the room while you explain this matter?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Holmes, the busybody!" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under writers could invent nothing more crude." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to over with notes and figures. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Yes, that is the Crown." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to there when the Rucastles went away." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost I shall communicate with you." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'Never,' said I. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." there has been an enclosure here!" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the remarked. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' felt?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no bore every mark of being an average commonplace British it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in ways of our fellow-men." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. round and wave him away like that.' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between village inn over there?" "No." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Cross for the Continent." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the driver. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the said I. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They happened." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face infinite languor in his face. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in felt?" seen the man in the road." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "And now?" He raised his hand. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the tragedy. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the answered with a sidelong glance. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss yet." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and awkward doing business with an alias." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, of the vacancies.' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. know all about it," he snarled. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Just look it up, then." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Quite sure, dad.' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'And the work?' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money figure." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "What do you mean?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and I shall continue with my miserable story. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, sound at heart." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I chamber." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch