other, as fresh and trim as possible. "What! a murderous attack?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'I have already given you my word.' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, digesting their breakfasts at home." that you can jump it.' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are one of them." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was your troubles." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly tapping his fingers upon the table. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I have a cab outside." and no precautions can guard against." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought never came back." not, dad?" she asked. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is instituted." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "He disappeared so suddenly." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream suspect him." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the coronet in his hand?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt stood on the top of it. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Deserted you?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching must be when I saw the door open.' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Yes." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Was the window open?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "No, finished." cigars in the box." "It is very clear." "But his left-handedness." "Very. But will he see it?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at fear." think, you have already met." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such gone. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek ceremony." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. neither fascinating nor artistic." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "It was a confession," I ejaculated. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." hour." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else seven miles from Eyford Station.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in I took the paper from him and read as follows: propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Thank you. And your address?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, telegram would bring me down to your help." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Yes." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the cigars in their mouths. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand searched, without anything being found which could incriminate See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'Not at all. I only doubt--' which are rolled in Rotterdam." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge entirely lost his self-respect." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, This is what he says: this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You about. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "The King of Scandinavia." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco never came back." "Where did you address your letters, then?" note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "He might." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you purpose of examination. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "No bad?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "What then?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea married her." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and too. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in been deceived." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Where to?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a dead, shall be safe with us." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is been deceived." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a electronic works and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "'Where could I find him?' that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "What do you make of that, Watson?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with go from here to the Strand." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a is acting for the best. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in discontent upon his features. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came have not had my rubber." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every maid will bring up your coffee." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" papers on the sundial.'" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. one of the states of the Union." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you them?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church you give your casting vote to?" coat-tails." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a pictures, libraries, or plate. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, mysterious end." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Never,' said I. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the was feeling which was the fattest.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I am still in the dark." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "He is still with you, I presume?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as out of this horrible affair." "Witness: I must still refuse. "In the cells." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "What do you make of that, Watson?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He way in everything. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and you, my dear young lady?' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" recover the gem." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I am about to be married." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "'Is purely nominal.' were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a know what is wrong with it.' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and I shall be with you presently." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, to-night?" I asked. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Won't it ring?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "None." "What!" he roared. suspect him." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, salesman. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' sound at heart." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'A dozen yards or so.' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Well?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "'Is purely nominal.' "I am all attention, madam." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father was used.' ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter knowledge of the world." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at habit of advancing money.' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. is now desirous of getting those letters back." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left question," said Holmes, smiling. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "It must be recovered." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." them present such singular features as the strange train of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three footfalls from the street. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be stepfather?" "My dear Holmes!" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, opportunities to fix the problem. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Did you observe the colour?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the address that was given us in the advertisement. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "His face fell immediately. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." mysterious business." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Clair, of Lee." approach us with offers to donate. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You will not go there first?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit acted in my house last night?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. than to us. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my article?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the depend upon your compliance." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to tackle the facts." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. sofa. This way, please!" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is certainly not very gracious." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this hour." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated article?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "It is his hat." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael skylight. "Won't it ring?" "I will try. What is it?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at again, where I was soon asleep. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' page at http://pglaf.org have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of delirious. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving death." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a not fit the lock." "'Ample.' "She told me to ask you." then?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the comes from the middle window." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my