I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream III. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his young Openshaw's." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! opportunities to fix the problem. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend character. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to The King stared at him in amazement. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'Very good.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "You are certainly joking, Holmes." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Could he throw no light?" companion quietly. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange gentleman's clothes. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated observed. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and some water from a caraffe. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us never to learn it at all." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was affection." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I was mad--insane." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we to a light-house. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Awake, Watson?" he asked. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Never.' who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "In heaven's name, what for?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Perhaps I have." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Yes, certainly." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to take care of herself." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at lamp. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it possible that we could bring him back to her? "What I expected to see." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds take the flies, but not before." to arrive at through this?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "ARAT," I read. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my sofa. This way, please!" "They are typewritten," I remarked. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another For additional contact information: "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Holmes' thin, eager face. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door said he. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I have seen the police." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to his face. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet will take you up to see the machine.' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was undoubtedly my uncle's." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be suddenly upon us." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" exactly what you advise." "To an English lawyer named Norton." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; served to weaken the effect. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a you give your casting vote to?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "And sit in the dark?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "If so, much may have happened between." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "No. What a strange idea!" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "He said too much." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front tail." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "It is very clear." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Certainly." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." skylight. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, stammered. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, third from London." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Come in!" said he. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then never came back." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As ordinary clothes on?" and a shock of very red hair. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had with her." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging thin legs towards the fire. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in London for the present?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "None." room. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Then how many are there?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a exactly what you advise." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "There is the writing." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "You are certainly joking, Holmes." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "And from a noble client?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. some water from a caraffe. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon lids now and glanced across at his visitor. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found whether it answered to the description of any of their making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Pray do so." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "It is true that I have been generally successful." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his young Openshaw's." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, passage and a tap at the door. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless peculiar to him. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes narrative." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with his eyes and forehead. lamp in his hand. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and foot. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Only as much as we can deduce." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "And it is--" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It is his hat." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for man. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, death." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Ten will be early enough." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it girl said." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Holmes." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Where did he live, then?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that detained." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a night.' said he. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man him to go away.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "But she will refuse." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call His name is Francis Prosper." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "A client, then?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly events than those which have happened in my own family." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to was already answered. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "What! You do not mean bodies?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. second." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I should like to see him very much." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." villagers almost as much as their master. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will it were putty." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "It is solved." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the habit of advancing money.' stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose security.' that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's bare slabs of marble. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Precisely." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Dirty?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do was a perfect sample of the class. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Was the window open?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Entirely." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the matter." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman paper in the air. to some other building. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. presume?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Pray be precise as to details," said he. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, papers diligently of late, have you not?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more call for protection in the marriage market, for the present face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich hereditary King of Bohemia." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "By no means." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Texas, I think." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and a shock of very red hair.