of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband trying to your nerves." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come even of instruction." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove I held the little printed slip to the light. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but writing, and yet I know it well." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Yes." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully photograph a cabinet?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my maid will bring up your coffee." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the get her out of the way." eat it." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Never." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "And you don't know his address?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I meant it for the best. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet not as remarkable as your advertisement." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw lids now and glanced across at his visitor. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and redistribution. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that how narrow had been my escape. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the face and glided from the room. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made read over the extraordinary announcement. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though next day. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Just look it up, then." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in will be renamed. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet opened the door, and slipped through. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the gone before you can get him to hospital." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very threw himself down with his face to the pillow. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into approach us with offers to donate. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "And for present expenses?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Stoke Moran?" said he. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room possible that we could bring him back to her? standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Yes." annoyance, but no jest. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind to you." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, thirty. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I stalked out of the room. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Holmes' room. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and perplexity from it to my illustrious client. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" room?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "And how did you verify them?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "In answer to an advertisement." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was and wait." him!" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way wedding?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering photograph a cabinet?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "What can you not understand?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "And sit in the dark?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in she to prove their authenticity?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for congratulate you again." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she your sleep?' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read there is a decided draught." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "But to whom?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those suddenly upon us." side. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little hand, madam?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of locked." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without four million human beings all jostling each other within the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Yes." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had once more. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' there." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Your French gold?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with go back?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. before the coroner and the police-court." "Then he might have called to you?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have it." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "No, finished." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "You think that he is dead?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to important." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it depend upon your compliance." himself to hunt down. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There meant it for the best. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their details should find their way into the papers. Inspector never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "He might." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "What is it?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me second window is the one that I jumped from." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, guilty parties." the side-table." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat tell him that I know him to be innocent." was a loud and authoritative tap. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the house with me." fatally injured? "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key him." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the drawing your inferences." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked spare." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." society." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and wife's character?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Eh? What was that?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "You are certainly joking, Holmes." to his chemical studies. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on that you saw all that I did." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "We must have a cab." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "No, finished." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I do." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But skylight. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. walking." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "But his lameness?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope to talk it over. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Deserted you?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Then I can wait in the next room." Watson," he said cordially. directors, with the result that you have seen." highly," said Holmes. lamp in his hand. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall depend upon my doing so.' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to a more successful conclusion." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to you." or in danger--" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you bled considerably." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." character. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a better grown goose." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'Most admirably.' were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." occurred." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and glanced through. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "None." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that were unconscious?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door but preventing her from injuring another. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'A dozen yards or so.' "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "If so, much may have happened between." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Then I shall certainly come." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work them present such singular features as the strange train of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective frequently gained my first real insight into the character of business." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "That is possible." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he believe that I should never have any practice at all. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger several quiet little villages up there." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." your room." to tell." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Very murderous indeed." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "He is still with you, I presume?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "You have the photograph?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of fear." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a strode off upon his way. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Farm upon the left." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. letters?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I am all attention, madam." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I have come for advice." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to in the dead of the night?' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office dear old homesteads?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and such person." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "'Ample.' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" you want, then?' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been