"The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. McCarthy." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked lids now and glanced across at his visitor. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Not I." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "How can you tell that?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "But you can know nothing of this?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I am to be neutral?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight that whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Edgeware Road. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Ample.' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, she to prove their authenticity?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just chill to my heart. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "To the police?" "Then you may be so with me." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I should be so warm over such a trifle." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "I cannot tell." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination national property. I was determined that the law should have its the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the obstinate." "Never." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Will you bet, then?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable you understand?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your forebodings. "Come in!" said he. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the fluttered off among the others. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and and capable of preserving a secret.' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get hopeless attempt at recovering them." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Pray let us have it, for all that." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." easy-going way." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "The Cedars?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to secret." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no quickly through a disagreeable task. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my neither fascinating nor artistic." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in is so. I know all about McCarthy." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "And who is her maid?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "On Monday." "Not I." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I to surprise her." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of any more." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and key of the affair now." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the little trying to do so much typewriting?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Never." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we you?' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook green of the new foliage. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders bore every mark of being an average commonplace British just ask you whether you had heard it.' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Well, some hundreds of times." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "It is a murder, then?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I cannot say that I have." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in enter Dr. Roylott's room." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Leave Paddington by the 11:15." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "It was." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and presented more singular features than that which was associated them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for distinguish the words: suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "And on what day did he meet his death?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "On your arm?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural he. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I am still in the dark." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Nothing." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "That is easily got." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the interested in these little problems, and since you are good if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I assure you that I am in your hands." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." prisoner's face. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I beg pardon." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the do you make of it all?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read man. neither fascinating nor artistic." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little several quiet little villages up there." again before evening." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was long narrative. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, bell. Holmes whistled. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up there in twenty minutes." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the bottom.' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Very. But will he see it?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Tired-looking or fresh?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Not particularly." prisoner's face. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him his grey eyes. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, invisible to me," I remarked. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' promised to bring home. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. delighted to hear it," he said. who was a member of your goose club." results." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had into her hand at the door and which lured her within their and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Murdered?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. despair." face and glided from the room. appeal." leaning back in his chair. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, It may be so in this case, also." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of compunction about shooting them down." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the entirely devoid of interest." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Pray let us have it, for all that." some city in a dream. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Pray do so." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the disappearance of the bride.'" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "This photograph!" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, must be when I saw the door open.' "Did you become engaged then?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I have solved it." "And your mother is alive?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather than to us. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Holmes. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered crowd. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Holmes' face clouded over. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front than to us. "I cannot imagine." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "There is the writing." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "But how did you gain them?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light occurred." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "How did he come?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and said Mr. Holder. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to tackle the facts." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which formed some opinion?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did 11:15.' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong happened." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and capable of preserving a secret.' casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of reach." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I promise," said Holmes. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the nursery. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. front of me. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "And leave your case unfinished?"