Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, my room." were wasted." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their been shamefully used." have not had my rubber." success. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known time." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is morning." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "He said that you could solve anything." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, you in your example." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I once more for Briony Lodge. "But how did you gain them?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Certainly." your troubles." certainly do as you advise." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the Friday. Was it to be in church?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the house with me." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that was once confined in the cab my mission was practically glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked felt the room to be a little close.' one's self under obligations.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and think that he is innocent?" about. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural to tell." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, back to my heart. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Where to?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I shall communicate with you." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the believe that I should never have any practice at all. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "But she could not love him." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between anything to do with the matter?" fatally injured? London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Pray do so." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering few hundred pounds.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the money should be paid at once.' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater went to the Alpha were town bred." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is appeared upon the scene." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" to-morrow." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Was she in good spirits?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all case-book, which he consulted. bearing upon the case." "I have my revolver," said I. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when shag which I had seen upon the previous night. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project beyond words. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this My friend smiled. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "'As governess?' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "And on what day did he meet his death?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "By no means." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No down from London to inquire more deeply into it." that you can jump it.' "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by is four-and-twenty." "Thank you. And your address?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "On the contrary, this is the right side." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Deserted you?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "No, distinctly professional." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "What do you mean?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the nonsense.' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old I leave." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. over here." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Ample." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid always that they were such commands as a lady might with bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. province." confronted him. ran thus: remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "But how did you gain them?" "If so, much may have happened between." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I used to be." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be all?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking cause to be." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her I. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came business?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' digesting their breakfasts at home." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "And Irene Adler?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible nonsense.' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Then you may be so with me." "I beg pardon." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. emerged. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I should be immensely obliged to you." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Always." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his shall not find me ungrateful." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "And you don't know his address?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "What will you say?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his already been minutely examined." and it need not interfere very much with one's other and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Which dealer's?' words came to my lips. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of sooner or later she must fall a victim. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the station." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, attention." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their read over the extraordinary announcement. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Pray continue your narrative." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "None." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and capable of preserving a secret.' been deceived." you came in." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you cigar and let me expound." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Dr. Becher's." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this danger is over." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I would pay ten." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'Certainly,' I answered. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have delighted to hear it," he said. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It was." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would me upon any point which I do not make clear." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I little trying to do so much typewriting?" when your master had gone out." "It's nothing of the kind." dear old homesteads?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "It is solved." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Who by?" Leadenhall Street--and--" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, you in yours." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he were new raised from a basin. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Not yet." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Precisely." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant speckled band?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped maid will bring up your coffee." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. some terrible trap for her." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase or in danger--" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "My own seal." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" shaken than I had ever seen him. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "And when will you call?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such It was close upon four before the door opened, and a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up me upon any point which I do not make clear." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could way: one else, I think." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among II. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country upon a handsome competence. may never be exposed to such a temptation." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "She will not sell." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "That also I could fathom." you give your casting vote to?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred within hail.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in not come at once?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. My friend smiled. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had