comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than presume?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements where she found matters as described by the last witness. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Eyford." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Yes, from Horsham." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we even of instruction." death." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest me where it went to?" the very morning of the wedding." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a he bowed and left the room without another word. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Perhaps we may make them less so." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in details." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the allusion to a rat. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger several quiet little villages up there." "It is no ordinary one." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this words came to my lips. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy him, that man would not have given me such complete information All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the presume?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "In what way?" asked Holmes. carpenter." "It was an hour's good drive." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She leave you to your papers for a little." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "And now?" I asked. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark criminal. We have already had experience of such." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Very murderous indeed." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and fear." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the enough to aid us in our search." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called and have this put in the evening papers." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Surrey." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Dr. Gregory B. Newby Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such will find little credit to be gained out of this case." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year placed his cuttings. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the bird I ate is country bred." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I say it is." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. chemical work which was so dear to him. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, begun to whiten, even as mine has." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his directors have had misgivings upon the subject." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' into the room. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Yes?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied opened the door, and slipped through. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress 'I should be able to look after that for you.' families. Now for the facts. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard anything to do with the matter?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to way: as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Sutherland?" photograph?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Stolen." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "What! a murderous attack?" "'Yes.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth little trying to do so much typewriting?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the instituted." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was corner of the building. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "And how did you verify them?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "And sit in the dark?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's towards the blaze. Eyford at 11:15.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a married her." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' started for the Temple to see my husband. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To which we had just quitted. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "But how?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly residence of the great financier. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "But how did you gain them?" "But how?" "He is dead," cried several voices. standing smiling on the door-step. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What!" he roared. "You have the photograph?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is any." of campaign. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink looking up at the numbers of the houses." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Well, but China?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yesterday." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if there!' severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he three fields round his house, and there he would take his you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much absorbing." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Why serious?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions it. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of them has the shutters up.' to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be bearing upon the case." could go. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "How did he come?" room?" "9th. McCauley cleared. "'And the work?' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge his wife has ceased to love him." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us a suggestive one." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the Red-headed League." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Yes." washing it down with a long draught of water. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "A client, then?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the bed, and you in that chair." "But the mystery?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Holmes' thin, eager face. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "And that is--" which are rolled in Rotterdam." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and yards of it?' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "And is that all?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, guilty one." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At attention." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been whether it answered to the description of any of their to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he there is a decided draught." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the in him." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I cannot say that I have." as noiselessly as she had come. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious were new raised from a basin. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest cup of tea. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw his forehead." yards of it?' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can III. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the breakfast?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Leadenhall Street--and--" "Is he quiet?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been approach us with offers to donate. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "He slept on the premises." "'What, the red-headed man?' foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no suspect him." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "One?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the window, rose as we entered. placed his cuttings. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of skylight. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I straightened it out again. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Pray do so." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any there has been an enclosure here!" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and memory. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but that?' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so giving me time to thank him. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "But who is he?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have few hundred pounds.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "The murder was done with it." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I which should have the effect of calling the attention of the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must way in." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, indeed happy." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole newspaper selections." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week never will be, entirely cleared up. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we some water from a caraffe. "'A dozen yards or so.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "And your mother is alive?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, bearing upon the case." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Texas, I think." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "You think that he is dead?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was weary and pale-looking. any more." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I answered that I had not. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it sparkled upon his finger. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one through." about. careless servant girl?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end.