wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little opportunities to fix the problem. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "What then?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "No." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything done what I asked you, Jones?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be bird I ate is country bred." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Yes." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "The Coroner: What do you mean? which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Perhaps we may make them less so." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before there in twenty minutes." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this other means.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "The doctor?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. particular state visit http://pglaf.org over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. rooms." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Do you know him?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Yes, all." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that test if we have an answer to our advertisement." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin just called myself is not exactly my own." spark where all is dark to me." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Nor running a chance of arrest?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather For additional contact information: dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "At the wedding breakfast." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to III. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking fattened it expressly for you.' man. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "My dear Holmes!" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the lips." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." McCarthy's innocence. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is acted in my house last night?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the warnings." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'I have heard so.' "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Indeed! Whose, then?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon like that before?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Holmes' room. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We in darkness. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. and that he would see to anything that turned up. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "My opinion is in no way altered." Project Gutenberg-tm works. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "It must be recovered." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I never came back." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out during which he might have communicated with his friend the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was have had none more fantastic than this." "Yes, sir." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'Certainly,' I answered. "Very truly yours, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and the whole place is in a blaze." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'Certainly not.' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which them?" felt?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which felt?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project get her out of the way." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had happened." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, papers." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The companion imperturbably. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Which are?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Witness: I must still refuse. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. his eyes and forehead. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of unprecedented a position." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Who was the criminal, then?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Literary Archive Foundation and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly weary and pale-looking. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like for its centre. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was goes." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Yes." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the devil!" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the my special province." ago." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Where, then, is my wife?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "What will you do, then?" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the dangers which encompass me." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are had this final quarrel? what these perils are?" "I think that it is very probable." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with papers must be those that are destroyed.' when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped my secret was safe in his possession. "Thank you. And your address?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able begin with, and I had not got mine yet." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it his grey eyes. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And now?" I asked. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought other lovers by making love himself." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll over with notes and figures. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days bears upon the case?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "I see no marks." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "What can it mean?" I gasped. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the stones. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid it." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case get her out of the way." upon a handsome competence. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I say that I have solved it." long narrative. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Pray be precise as to details," said he. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "She will not sell." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "And Irene Adler?" "By train from Waterloo." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are room. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the arrangements." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, heavily into it. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if a few minutes he said that it would be all right. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "This photograph!" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Where, indeed?" "Yes." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Oh, fresh and glossy." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door redistribution. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo this remarkable episode. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of woman." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin I think that I could be of assistance to you." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "On Monday." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. wedding?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And did you observe any change in her then?" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, your own bird, so if you wish--" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "What then?" placed his cuttings. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a it with his own hands." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly one of them." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see