have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will with frightened eyes at his accuser. one of the states of the Union." be there in time for your coming." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" remarked. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for new duties?' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Who was the criminal, then?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "What is it?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said corner of the building. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be least a most suspicious remark." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make there." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in individual and becomes the badge of a society." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Stolen." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs gives a meaning to it." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "BALLARAT." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from you." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear man. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he despair." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, of them has the shutters up.' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." him to be an active member of the medical profession." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the morning and make my own way in the world.' said I. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass cause to be." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are soul! here is her carriage at the door." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent forecastle of an emigrant ship. purpose equally well?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of the way of danger. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. ago." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the matter." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the King without delay." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened happened." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was all that?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum wall." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Who by?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with respectable self." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." your room." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "At what time?" me." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his think you a quite exceptional woman." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: quite distinctive." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who conversation I have gathered that they have been married about came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar purpose of examination. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the stones. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to constraint." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that paper in the air. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll at home. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my ready to-morrow?' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true you." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at fait accompli?" "I think it very unlikely." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." his eyes and forehead. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business made him keep the appointment." gbnewby@pglaf.org thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Then how many are there?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a British peeress.'" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon used to be." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." these bleak autumnal evenings." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "In heaven's name, what for?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but standing smiling on the door-step. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." works. See paragraph 1.E below. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or of." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. his face which made him a very different person to the round, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow it." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" hour?' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I have come for advice." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Married! When?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be power." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a to take care of herself." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I am sure." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings knowledge of the world." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." entirely lost his self-respect." nonsense.' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect question. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'Yes, I promise.' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the coronet in his hands?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself has little to do with my story." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a towards the blaze. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'Oh, no.' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he overpowering excitement and concern. "But what will you do?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been in him." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has 11:15.' The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Ah, but I was recommended to you." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking anything to a woman, for she would have her way." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no to-night?" I asked. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, case before our client came into the room." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Married! When?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor legal crime." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" notes," he said. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking guilty parties." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I shall most certainly do so." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him in this way: fasten all the windows?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded gone. "But the mystery?" situation." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself it with his own hands." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you dead, shall be safe with us." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and cigars in the box." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "By no means." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Pope's Court. "It must be recovered." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and delighted to hear it," he said. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Where did you address your letters, then?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Nothing." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." which we had just quitted. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all matter." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Can I be of assistance?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to presented more singular features than that which was associated "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria cost them two and thirty pounds." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "It was an hour's good drive." Sutherland. lost nothing by them." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the warnings." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we train.' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I should be immensely obliged to you." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very shaken than I had ever seen him. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "My dear Holmes!" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Oh, the cause is excellent!" and no precautions can guard against." "'Stolen!' he cried. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "He is still with you, I presume?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Could he throw no light?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. photograph a cabinet?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay chemical work which was so dear to him. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that chamber." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I it." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "No, distinctly professional." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the matter over." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the cheerful." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" be. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. purpose equally well?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some should be taken.' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE money should be paid at once.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered