near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be fear." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "No, I had a dozen." lamp. "Then I do not see the point." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a guilty parties." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept fact, we may call it conclusive." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass occurred." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the south-west, I see." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the warnings." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "No more words. Get out!" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Lestrade of Scotland Yard." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "'Why that?' I asks. sake, don't!" them?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, ourselves in the office." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which foot. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I do." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with front of the hall door has given its name to the place. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could voice, changing her seat as requested. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it gone. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, works. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the golden eyeglasses. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Munro.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. cup of tea. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. weighed down with some great anxiety. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I am in hopes that she does." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "But what harm can there be in that?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself any." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Yes, at the mines." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "You have the photograph?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Witness: I must still refuse. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation guilty one." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in For additional contact information: change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I guessed as much." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was miles off. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to someone who had been in Australia." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the enough to aid us in our search." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of indeed happy." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'What do you call purely nominal?' fuss that is made over them." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from floor. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she my room." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "That is easily got." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Where, then, is my wife?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four before the coroner and the police-court." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "But you were on a friendly footing?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and footfalls from the street. upon the sideboard." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." people don't know." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Where did you address your letters, then?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the nonsense.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He do." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "What can it mean?" I gasped. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the coronet in his hand?" narrative." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Her father is very rich?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet on in his house." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I cannot tell." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "She told me to ask you." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "None. Neville wrote those words." IS half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the so.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Your sister is dead, then?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" presented more singular features than that which was associated uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I cannot imagine." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "No." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was night.' said he. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed noble correspondent could be. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "You think that he is dead?" "Imitated." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, in his hands." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "But you can know nothing of this?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly introspective fashion. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "What, then, did Peterson do?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Miss Holder?" woman." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do gives a meaning to it." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Precisely." dead, shall be safe with us." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then three of the beryls in it, was missing. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "You think so, too?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred was already answered. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside your troubles." you give your casting vote to?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes strong and stiff." "What?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a man. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away of the one which your family is now devouring." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Never.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to yards of it?' "That is easily got." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "One horse?" interjected Holmes. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "On the contrary, this is the right side." Holmes. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'No, I know no one in these parts.' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the roots. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the coronet in his hands?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and few hundred pounds.' story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps chamber." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Holmes' face clouded over. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "It is very kind of you." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf some water from a caraffe. "In the cells." client, rising. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "I see many objections to any such theory." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Why did you beat the pavement?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost outside. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe most interesting one." "Ample." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the footfalls from the street. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. events, Mr. Windibank!" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "What then?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab man. I know him from the photograph." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, you want, then?' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "One?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless pound a week." out." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for south, for the country is more deserted there." Farm upon the left." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a get her out of the way." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "My own seal." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the a good hundred miles off by now." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had giving me time to thank him. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "How did you deduce the select?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. wedding?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy simple cases which are so extremely difficult." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "What then?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may key of the affair now." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "He is still with you, I presume?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? unkempt, staring out at me. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Why serious?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, someone who had been in Australia." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "He disappeared so suddenly." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and I shall be with you presently." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I nodded again. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "No, I am descending." forebodings. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich some mystery and the punishment of some crime." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down