observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "To an end?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, have established a very serious case against the son of the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that in this note: horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His unprecedented a position." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that his face which made him a very different person to the round, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Nothing." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "You are hungry," I remarked. "'About the same.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the hurried by. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's dead, shall be safe with us." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and effective." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin all-comprehensive glances. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Can I be of assistance?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Come in!" said he. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared compunction about shooting them down." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "What, then?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 your sleep?' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his IS fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'And what salary do you ask?' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. discontent upon his features. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and a shock of very red hair. not as remarkable as your advertisement." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so business." standing smiling on the door-step. "And who is her maid?" notes," he said. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking was a perfect sample of the class. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where ordinary clothes on?" see a sister of mine apply for." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between for the market.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem opportunities to fix the problem. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Henry Baker is a member." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle quite distinctive." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained you." and it need not interfere very much with one's other and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our rooms." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Never,' said I. "And now?" He raised his hand. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each floor. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." you?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my careless servant girl?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. strength." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss gives a meaning to it." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "She walked into the breakfast-room." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "The knees of his trousers." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. and the church but not where the lady lived." "To the police?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Then he might have called to you?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a it." ventilator." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late next day. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' helping a boy to put up the shutters. "It missed him, then?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not What do you deduce from it?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended throat." It may be so in this case, also." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "What have you to say now?" someone who had been in Australia." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." fasten all the windows?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "But how?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. did not hear it also.' answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will beyond words. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'And what salary do you ask?' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "And the murderer?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for his cane at the bell-pull. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some had formerly been in part my own. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. sufficient punishment." was a loud and authoritative tap. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Come in!" said Holmes. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in helping a boy to put up the shutters. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and laid it on the table. occurred." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Oh, the cause is excellent!" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them back alive. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" colour had been driven from his face. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "It is very kind of you." other lovers by making love himself." happened." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to had this final quarrel? individual and becomes the badge of a society." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great comes from the middle window." mysterious business." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." whole matter to your consideration." residence of the great financier. "I was mad--insane." to Leatherhead. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "If I can be of use." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an locked." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and flock.' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Yes, he did." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been my secret was safe in his possession. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "We have tried and failed." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on jewels which you have stolen?' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Where to?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." colour had been driven from his face. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were eat it." system of imprisonment?" him nearly every evening." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune at my own good fortune. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I don't believe it." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, that threaten you." writer." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you did not hear it also.' sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's in the hope of finding them." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to evidence," I remarked. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hardly wander." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. posted to-day." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the do.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Then let me do so?' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "No, my brougham is waiting." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are be. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing meant it for the best. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such bed dies. Does not that strike you?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Holmes' face clouded over. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "May I see it?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips placed his cuttings. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will read over the extraordinary announcement. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and conduct the inquiry." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his people don't know." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of kind enough to tell me what I should do." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure my secret was safe in his possession. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all thirty. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him information in his hands the value of which he did not himself took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "The Cedars?" She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these The note was undated, and without either signature or address. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "That is it on the dressing-table." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. dates and names. "In the cells." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "The Coroner: What do you mean? leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their roused himself from his reverie. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'In my own bureau.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Upon what point?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no away in different directions, and I went off to make my own set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other