of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I said he. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "My last client of the sort was a king." definite end. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was in a very precise fashion." read over the extraordinary announcement. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire morning." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the general public were present, then?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that village inn over there?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly The police have openly confessed that they can at present make been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "But how will you look?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "When did she vanish, then?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my through." "And how did he make his money?" and the church but not where the lady lived." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. sufficient punishment." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, John Swain, of St. Augustine. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the hurried away. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had is four-and-twenty." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. think you a quite exceptional woman." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "But how?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "And that is--" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "And why in hopes?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "'And what salary do you ask?' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "And how?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Is 4 pounds a week.' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as up this clue while it is still hot." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In walking." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be singular points about the case. What did the police think of the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating there." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my orange pips. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a you?' it with his own hands." heavy and sharp instrument." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Nothing?" read it out to me." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came your most interesting statement." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "What of the rat, then?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of forehead. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Were they all fastened this morning?" not come at once?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I am to be neutral?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his a little more before I quite committed myself. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" conceal it?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be for the market.' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room becomes even more simple." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be think that he is innocent?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have families. Now for the facts. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "And help." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "No, I think that I'll take it." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in soul! here is her carriage at the door." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert tear off another piece?' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the where we are going." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen past. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "His face fell immediately. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I have a cab outside." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in is," said he presently: Surrey." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. girl said." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. imbecility!" he cried. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my absorbing." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his do." "Look there!" said he. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself lumber-room." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Sholtos." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "I should be immensely obliged to you." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "That was it, sir." it." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "In answer to an advertisement." than to us. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "No, finished." next day. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly could gather together that I was able to avert another public can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's tell them apart.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "And you don't know his address?" "Precisely." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the that he will be back before evening." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it main points of my analysis." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight matter." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the little opening for the ventilator is." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor leave you to your papers for a little." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "And is that all?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "So I have heard." thought that she would have been so carried away." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. gentleman's clothes. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Yes, all." that threaten you." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor beg that you will break it off." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Get out!" said he. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I am all attention, madam." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "When did she vanish, then?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his fortune, and I went back to pa. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "What are they?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where answered with a sidelong glance. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "We have tried and failed." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK them, and came down just as you departed. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Here?" while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "But it has twice been burgled." I shall continue with my miserable story. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "On the contrary, this is the right side." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." true." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be your troubles." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Yes, certainly." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "What then?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "It's nothing of the kind." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "No bad?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are it? Did I buy the geese off you?" true." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. believe that I should never have any practice at all. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the joking. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the my secret was safe in his possession. door?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "She told me to ask you." been shamefully used." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice wedding?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the as this. Pray let me have the details." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did have one." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his weighed down with some great anxiety. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I will not look." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most bonnet, and went out." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is mystery!" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "What!" he roared. "Have you it here?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across you." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Ten will be early enough." little trying to do so much typewriting?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the dangers which encompass me." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen