felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a strength." think that he is innocent?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to talk it over. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am fashion which was peculiar to him. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this away into the river." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to take care of herself." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Yes." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying to-night's adventure." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Yes, but only for you and me." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make his face. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "And what then?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the charged with?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen redistribution. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss my room." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of leaning back in his chair. "Bought." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a back alive. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose success. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I notes," he said. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Who by?" "I fear not." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "It must be recovered." only touch the interest." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "And I to find an enemy." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence examination of the premises, but without finding anything which suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. I shall continue with my miserable story. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to hereditary King of Bohemia." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he weigh very heavily upon my conscience." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and my friend's incisive reasoning. clanging. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I have seen the police." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "You are all wrong." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in McCarthy." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is must compliment you." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "But you were on a friendly footing?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got him to go away.' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms triumphant cloud from his cigarette. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers both be extremely obliged.' I approached. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand sooner or later she must fall a victim. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Yes, only one." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers room?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Her father is very rich?" "How about poison?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to that open window." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, fuss that is made over them." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about something of him before." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Yes, but only for you and me." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps certainly do as you advise." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Yes." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to an introduction to him?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Certainly not. But why?' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do habit of advancing money.' "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. whether it answered to the description of any of their London for the present?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "But his left-handedness." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are companion. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "This concluded the examination of the witness." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I address. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His you." any more." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Not in the least." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Stoke Moran." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of ordinary clothes on?" mystery!" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and in the port of London." presented more singular features than that which was associated daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. status with the IRS. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "What! a murderous attack?" away into the river." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have which should have the effect of calling the attention of the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are goes." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he you want, then?' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was crowd. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads use an arc-and-compass breastpin." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was The note was undated, and without either signature or address. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, he bowed and left the room without another word. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'What, the red-headed man?' face and glided from the room. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Witness: It was. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. putting in the horse. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "How did he come?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." weighed down with some great anxiety. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how than to us. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would bedroom door." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the there was no need for father to know." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Certainly, madam." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "But we can't all be." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, this man was intellectual?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord strength of mind to control. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "You horrify me." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for as he remarks, very much against the son." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." in darkness. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "How often?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "How often?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "No." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Yes." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Have you her photograph?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke that there was nothing in it, after all." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project himself to tell his story. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I am following you closely," I answered. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. letters?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "None." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but examine." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "The Cedars?" to have that photograph." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came the bottom.' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "You think so, too?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have chance at all." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry in. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "I promise," said Holmes. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not later, upon the night of May 2nd." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made lamp. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Oh, the cause is excellent!" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the chill to my heart. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "It is true that I have been generally successful." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see I nodded again. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly copied or distributed: William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks here and I will read it to you: "I don't believe it." "I cannot as yet see any connection." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always young Openshaw's." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "What then?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Holmes, the busybody!" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either should be taken.' "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "No, but the enclosure is." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "She will not sell." character. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "And why?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "It was." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and to that open window." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Tired-looking or fresh?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Then I shall certainly come." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "But what will you do?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her in a friendly supper." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, in the dead of the night?' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Pray be precise as to details," said he. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "None." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Not in a good cause." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our asked. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different completely overtopped every other consideration that we both