probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Leave Paddington by the 11:15." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I voice, changing her seat as requested. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Well, but China?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' in a very precise fashion." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master conduct the inquiry." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I will try. What is it?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'Which dealer's?' her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite before the coroner and the police-court." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, it right.' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It may not come to that," said Holmes. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Chief Executive and Director hair?' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called than was visible to me." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "But the mystery?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "No good news?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his an introduction to him?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I character. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project desk. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even murdered man." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Leadenhall Street--and--" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'Yes, it was gone.' Lee, in the county of Kent." "'As governess?' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the nursery. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the http://gutenberg.net/license). "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with returned to France?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the coroner's jury." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Seven!" I answered. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among the ceiling. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I through." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the coronet in his hands?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" delirious. new duties?' me have 200 pounds?' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I have come for advice." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it enough to aid us in our search." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker fait accompli?" Stoke Moran." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is call you and give you the chance." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa been with you?" "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid good-night and bustled off upon her way. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same http://www.gutenberg.net "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Ah!" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by details." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that you." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. a room. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against galvanised. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! morning." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I hurried by. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded did not hear it also.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own taking in every detail of the apartment. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. coroner's jury." highroad, where all traces were lost. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I would give my fortune to have them back." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are down. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of have had none more fantastic than this." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the other, as fresh and trim as possible. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining said he at last. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She since then to throw any light upon what became of him." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Edgeware Road. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was over his head with a sweet womanly caress. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange towards the blaze. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on retorted upon me, and I on you." "In what way?" asked Holmes. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and all of them with the keenest interest. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was delirious. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank observed. friends, not even his own brother. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not acquaintance?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. four million human beings all jostling each other within the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of have I gained?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'And the work?' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that carriage. It was a chestnut." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was of Mr. Rucastle's." our word." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "But what is it you wish?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to orange pips. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. upon the shelf for the interim." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Serpentine Avenue. "But not more so than I to find you." matter." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported him and tried to hold him back. that?' 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" The King stared at him in amazement. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the putting in the horse. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud III. "An enemy?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes these bleak autumnal evenings." "And for present expenses?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, bedroom door." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask from you?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some was lame." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "And how in the world did you find them?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. presented more singular features than that which was associated "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind I shall communicate with you." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Did you become engaged then?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of a few minutes he said that it would be all right. society." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose mystery may be cleared along those lines." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason bears upon the case?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Why did you beat the pavement?" there has been an enclosure here!" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the dangers which encompass me." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from likely to be some crony of the landlady's." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it go--none." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, sparkled upon his finger. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' ways of our fellow-men." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they pound a week." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and capable of preserving a secret.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, fact, we may call it conclusive." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria name is different." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Frequently." him, that man would not have given me such complete information Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I shall most certainly do so." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Was your sister dressed?" out of this horrible affair." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I But Holmes shook his head gravely. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for humiliation." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'Oh, no.' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful searched, without anything being found which could incriminate scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be as the one I chose?' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the inquest, and which are worth considering." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Yes, it was gone.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "A call for help, you thought?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was to-night's adventure." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There in darkness. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, most interesting one." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both