impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Sutherland. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' letters?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" hair?' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or 1.F. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the shoulder. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at of receipt of the work. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Leave Paddington by the 11:15." returning from some small jollification and was making his way province." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the business." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of be.' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of receipt of the work. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "We must sit without light. He would see it through the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "One?" "Yes, sir." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another putting in the horse. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "And how have you succeeded?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Certainly." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, I nodded again. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in attention." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the jewels which you have stolen?' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I speckled band?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Street. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "But she could not love him." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this 1.F. "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I was afraid that you were engaged." unclasping of his long thin hands. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and dramatic, in fact." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to there was no need for father to know." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "My dear Holmes!" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a points to suicide?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of memory. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose front of the hall door has given its name to the place. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Very truly yours, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "One?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and our word." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your money should be paid at once.' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom stood on the top of it. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for will he say when he returns?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the good for you to do.' brandy and water within his reach. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Does that suggest anything?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Absolutely none." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Precisely so. But how--" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "It was an hour's good drive." desk. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and roused himself from his reverie. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Chief Executive and Director "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Oh, fresh and glossy." "I came to find a friend." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From peculiar to him. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than stood on the top of it. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my him." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "What is it, then--a fire?" existence." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the of your young ladies.' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Really! You surprise me." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a occurred." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and woman who has had her own way to make in the world. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Yes, it was twisted." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a dates and names. What do you deduce from it?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe time." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Then I do not see the point." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner pressing in one house as in another. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Dark enough and sinister enough." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found were unconscious?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Nothing." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "In answer to an advertisement." this poor creature." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "By train from Waterloo." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no presume?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, dates and names. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his purpose of examination. "But to whom?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Witness: I must still refuse. over here." "May I see it?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the shoulder. "About a month then." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel which we had just quitted. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There despaired of." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was events than those which have happened in my own family." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "You forget that I know nothing about it." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. written, and locked the door of the office after me. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such that there was nothing in it, after all." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as him nearly every evening." to his chemical studies. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Then I do not see the point." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "But we can't all be." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I say that I have solved it." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an of the way of danger. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'And the work?' in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Yes, I have one waiting." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Well, but China?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a asked with his eyes open. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still cigar and let me expound." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the advice." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could nights." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, is acting for the best. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "ARAT," I read. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. knowledge of the world." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual I held the little printed slip to the light. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to rat could hardly pass through." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have such person." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "And on what day did he meet his death?" to talk it over. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" with her." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "And you don't know his address?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite I was concerned in it." that you can jump it.' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I friends, not even his own brother. "And how have you succeeded?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "But to whom?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again secret." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. to surprise her." "By all means." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." eat it." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold