firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a photograph?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at followed. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with charged with?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "She showed me, as I told you she would." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us clanging. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Dr. Becher's." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I assure you that I am in your hands." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and is so. I know all about McCarthy." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." next day. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been with some details as to your case." "I cannot as yet see any connection." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Not social, then?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is chambers. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "My dear Holmes!" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her went to the Alpha were town bred." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! strong and stiff." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous opportunities to fix the problem. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'Certainly not.' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to him." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "In heaven's name, what for?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "But it has twice been burgled." matter over." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the I am not easy in my mind about them." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself not fit the lock." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Thank you. And your address?" "'Certainly,' I answered. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously suspect him." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "But how did you gain them?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Yes. He waved his hands." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who wedding?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for she to prove their authenticity?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near your only hope of safety." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I until night should bring an explanation. the matter?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Doctor, of the paper and the date." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "The murder was done with it." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "And you don't know his address?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "No. His orders were to stay in the house." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage relief. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of your only hope of safety." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Then what has happened to him?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, me." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. brain must have something in it." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers hard-headed British jury." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to stalked out of the room. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the of them has the shutters up.' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been sake, don't!" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The eat it." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate conceal it?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "And did you observe any change in her then?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this this Miss Turner." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Holmes' thin, eager face. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "They are typewritten," I remarked. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "It was an hour's good drive." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. him and tried to hold him back. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their disturbance in my wife." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "9th. McCauley cleared. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "At what time?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." already been minutely examined." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, he bowed and left the room without another word. "It is true that I have been generally successful." was feeling which was the fattest.' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; one else, I think." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to your room." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and had died away into the silence from which it rose. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'What, the red-headed man?' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Mrs. Toller serenely. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Of what?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the quickly through a disagreeable task. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to always that they were such commands as a lady might with now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to be.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was yourselves in at night?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible individual and becomes the badge of a society." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Yes?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." clang of the bell. window when the police appeared." villagers almost as much as their master. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "And you can do nothing until then?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Pray do so." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "You know me, then?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Where does the thing come from?' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "On Monday." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, highly," said Holmes. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "I think it very unlikely." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project it." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows with you?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND how narrow had been my escape. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable face and glided from the room. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable more terrible than the truth. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. would apply.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought the tragedy. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. shall use the carriage to-night." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Holmes rather sternly. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "At half-wages, in fact." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all hurried by. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name delighted to hear it," he said. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no hopeless attempt at recovering them." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was article?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid brought there to personate someone, and the real person is that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a writer." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had it means?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations strong reason behind." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "But to whom?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused this remarkable episode. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked chemical work which was so dear to him. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as have had none more fantastic than this." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, confronted him. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "In heaven's name, what for?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man comes from the middle window." newspaper selections." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very and have this put in the evening papers." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. off." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" tied." "He is dead," cried several voices. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of you came in." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. both be extremely obliged.' I am not easy in my mind about them." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Not yet." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And you thought he was pulled back?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "And leave your case unfinished?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money new duties?' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "BALLARAT." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were crime. "Yes." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had