Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "How many? I don't know." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Yes, I have one waiting." coroner's jury." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." six. Come in!" "And leave your case unfinished?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of sparkled upon his finger. "My dear Holmes!" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back comes from the middle window." to a light-house. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "VIOLET HUNTER." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss one else, I think." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before writer." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "And how in the world did you find them?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the driver. delighted to hear it," he said. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote points to suicide?" the roots. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not wedding?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "What do you mean?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND suspect him." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked are, I think, all that we need." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I pictures, libraries, or plate. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get ill-usage at the hands of fortune. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill derbies." to that open window." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the must compliment you." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he companion. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about questionable one." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we his forehead." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an throat." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. hand, madam?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her his fortune, and I went back to pa. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he kind enough to tell me what I should do." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Eyford at 11:15.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "The landlord of the Alpha." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows events, Mr. Windibank!" advice." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours friend's singular character. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "What is it?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper so far?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it he bowed and left the room without another word. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the station." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he guilty one." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such true." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one this Miss Turner." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" as he folded up the epistle. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I think that it is very probable." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, over with notes and figures. once more to my work. held up the lantern and gazed about him. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." best detective that ever lived. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Do you go out much in society?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or certainly do as you advise." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered better in every way that they should make their position a little never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had country, and eventually married, without anyone having a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Clair, of Lee." "Certainly, madam." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'How far from the body?' road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit that he will be back before evening." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him should be so warm over such a trifle." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "To an English lawyer named Norton." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I say that I have solved it." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may on in his house." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you was used.' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. bare slabs of marble. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since it with his own hands." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in derbies." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Where did he live, then?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His the tragedy. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his intimate personal affairs in this public manner." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "And now?" I asked. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Where to?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Was he the only applicant?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "The doctor?" "How did that help you?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "I have come for advice." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little that you wished to speak to me?' is four-and-twenty." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Where does the thing come from?' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I am in hopes that she does." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I that threaten you." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two opportunities to fix the problem. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's house for five minutes.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had article?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I promise," said Holmes. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just acquaintance?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I answered that I had not. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do been able to understand it, in a very few words. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on existence." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. mysterious business." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." direction." "And how?" "What is it?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. status with the IRS. through." like gravel from a pit.' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Does that suggest anything?" in his power. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had any more." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "My private note-paper." my special province." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, and effective." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "And how did you find out?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." night.' said he. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the arrangements." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it hurried by. is so. I know all about McCarthy." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "No." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and said I. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, bachelor.' "Married! When?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which empty. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I have come for advice." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I was mad--insane." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'Yes.' "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, less than 26s. 4d. "Bought." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with if she died from some sudden fright." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. gone. "Yes, but only for you and me." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to The King stared at him in amazement. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Come in!" said he. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Arthur Conan Doyle Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread strange features which were associated with the two crimes which very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are knowledge of the world." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we to-night's adventure." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "No." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You know me, then?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "She will not sell." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. vanished into the darkness. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing had picked up in the wood. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' out." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" grasp, he hurried from the room. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. McCarthy's innocence. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Heh?' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. for its centre. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. peculiar to him. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "No, thank goodness, she did not." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A upon the white wrist. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was absorbing." mystery." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Pope's Court. "I cannot tell." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. light and attacked it." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Pray tell us what has happened to you." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, purpose of examination. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I matter over." "And how did he make his money?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Certainly." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who tell them apart.'