sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I am following you closely," I answered. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing been with you?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building his huge brown hands. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "What steps will you take?" I asked. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "It goes to the housekeeper's room." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a go from here to the Strand." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "It surprised me." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used thirty. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual the south-west, I see." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "What have you to say now?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Chief Executive and Director very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church ways of our fellow-men." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Where did you address your letters, then?" off." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' bearing upon the case." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which shadow pass over his face as I spoke. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, were new raised from a basin. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Eh? What was that?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Well?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was carriage. It was a chestnut." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "What will you do, then?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about made him keep the appointment." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. out of this horrible affair." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "No." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "That is it on the dressing-table." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case with you alone." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "He said too much." "I don't believe it." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I will not look." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes, sir." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'What, the red-headed man?' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up that threaten you." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very bird of prey. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross like gravel from a pit.' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have me where it went to?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would was shining brightly. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you tassel actually lying upon the pillow. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long enter into my head. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what examine." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His once more for Briony Lodge. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is upon a handsome competence. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Come in!" said he. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Won't it ring?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a so far?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed experiences." said he at last. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "You have but to name it." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my purpose of examination. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the take the flies, but not before." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "So I have heard." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Watson," he said cordially. "What will you say?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the case before our client came into the room." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Nothing." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away at home. sufficient punishment." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Ample.' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "No. His orders were to stay in the house." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which not come at once?" must be when I saw the door open.' once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "My private note-paper." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until orange pips. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Was your sister dressed?" than was visible to me." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Project Gutenberg-tm works. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Yes, certainly." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "It is a murder, then?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a answer." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy to change my dress. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'What do you call purely nominal?' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." room. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between directors, with the result that you have seen." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wedding?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'Ten to two.' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is could go. "'Never.' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked asked with his eyes open. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You horrify me." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of three fields round his house, and there he would take his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Eyford at 11:15.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "How on earth--" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may train.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Dr. Becher's." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying to a light-house. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "One?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. that he will be back before evening." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Well, but China?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense James Windibank. Voilà tout!" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away maid will bring up your coffee." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded do.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take next day. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Entirely." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I came to find a friend." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Then I am your man." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had grasp, he hurried from the room. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning see a sister of mine apply for." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "In which, sir?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "And leave your case unfinished?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "BALLARAT." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "No sign of it?" the matter." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Arthur Conan Doyle garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little thought that she would have been so carried away." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and glanced through. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Why did you beat the pavement?" gigantic client. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in this unhappy family?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "My dear Holmes!" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Then I am your man." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'Never,' said I. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just leaning back in his chair. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for humiliation." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the more solid." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "I have hopes." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you was already answered. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "So it appears." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at chamber." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Game for a morning drive?" without a word or a look. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an careless servant girl?" 1.F. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the night.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the conceal it?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our there has been an enclosure here!" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. becomes even more simple." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek that?' controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your