tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Her father is very rich?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy there was no need for father to know." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I have hopes." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, as this. Pray let me have the details." "From his hat?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. case-book, which he consulted. strength in the others." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "And I to find an enemy." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed business." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, outbreak?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'Yes, sir.' such person." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Will you go?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "So I am. Very much so." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face hands. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that child?' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You have the photograph?" once more for Briony Lodge. "But the mystery?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "And I." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the one as in the other." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "It is solved." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Was there a secret marriage?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small comes from the middle window." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Very much so." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "'In my own bureau.' "Have you her photograph?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Foundation "He slept on the premises." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very fluttered off among the others. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "My Mary? Impossible!" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope he bowed and left the room without another word. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience murdered man." "Was the window open?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "In which, sir?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the tragedy. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "'I am sure if I had known--' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have was feeling which was the fattest.' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Surrey." "The knees of his trousers." "But he might be a bachelor." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at head. So long, then!" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'Why that?' I asks. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a undoubtedly my uncle's." upon an income of about 60 pounds." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "One of the highest in England." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found John Swain, of St. Augustine. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is her also." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Look there!" said he. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its His name is Francis Prosper." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should was feeling which was the fattest.' the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner made his money." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Frequently." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My is so. I know all about McCarthy." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate populous neighbourhood." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'Ten to two.' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "He slept on the premises." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" one's self under obligations.' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. which it had come upon my father." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon minor matters until to-morrow." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in forehead. business matters.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the be.' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have go--none." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which maid will bring up your coffee." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "And what did you learn from him?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "But I am all in the dark." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already nothing with him." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the coronet in his hands?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, about here speaks of his kindness to him." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. outbreak?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery on in his house." coat-tails." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and must compliment you." narrative." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, might have a private word with us. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'And the work?' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of note-paper. It read in this fashion: usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then examine." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Why did you pick him?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "It was." weary and pale-looking. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'Entirely.' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to was a loud and authoritative tap. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Street. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I will get her to show me." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with works. See paragraph 1.E below. manager. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "What then?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "'Yes, sir.' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted to surprise her." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Why serious?" "Oh, yes, easily." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the this unhappy family?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this thin, with a long, sharp nose?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off were new raised from a basin. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, cigars in the box." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It was an hour's good drive." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you which was all perfectly true. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been at a side door. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Was there a secret marriage?" straighten it?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but could go. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are *** START: FULL LICENSE *** a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with sofa. This way, please!" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our in the hope of finding them." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me of this gang." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and too. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Nothing." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "So it appears." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant appeared upon the scene." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Ten to two.' one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at empty. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted disturbance in my wife." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. disappearance of the bride.'" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in new acquaintance to Baker Street. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "'Most admirably.' just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Not social, then?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Oh, the cause is excellent!" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. generous with you in money matters.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the