reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the knowledge of the world." remarked. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he problems help me to do so." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "An enemy?" forehead. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Well, but China?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "How do you know, then?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room since then to throw any light upon what became of him." constraint." thought that she would have been so carried away." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Do you know him?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he been lifted and conveyed somewhere." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would only touch the interest." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 cheerful." showing my impatience. "What then?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is held up the lantern and gazed about him. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Stolen, then." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility yards of it?' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the warnings." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it over his head with a sweet womanly caress. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed was a perfect sample of the class. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." acted in my house last night?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I am armed." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Did your wife hear all this?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the house with me." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be third from London." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. him!" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's certainly do as you advise." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "But it has twice been burgled." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Here?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly pierced for earrings?" the coronet in his hand?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I am about to be married." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "That also I could fathom." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. husband's writing, madam." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and straighten it?" "And how?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a on re-entering her father's house?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "My own seal." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "But what harm can there be in that?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the coronet in his hands?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they strength." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "It is possible." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Yes." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, fact, we may call it conclusive." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the charged with?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "No." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' to tackle the facts." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and feature." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his not interfere, come what may. You understand?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Why, it's a dummy," said he. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a own family. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to-morrow." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on father's young wife. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though again, where I was soon asleep. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Then he might have called to you?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the His name is Francis Prosper." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one knowledge of the world." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "You did not overhear what they said?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, lips." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary was lame." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Very. But will he see it?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them his huge brown hands. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It missed him, then?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Ample." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so have got?" was a perfect sample of the class. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed one of them." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Seven!" I answered. "It is possible." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; head. So long, then!" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Which surely he restored to their owner?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out over here." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. round and wave him away like that.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can speckled band?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Dr. Becher's." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of secret." "I don't believe it." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Stoke Moran?" said he. of the way of danger. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "How long did she speak to this Alice?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Your presence might be invaluable." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution keep the flames under. British peeress.'" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Then you may entirely rely on me." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found politicians who had been sent down from the North. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the station." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It that threaten you." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a see me here to avoid scandal." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "No?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's friends, not even his own brother. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to might help us?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And how have you succeeded?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "It must be recovered." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "I shall be delighted." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and not, dad?" she asked. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very place, I think that there is good ground to think that the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "The vanishing of the lady." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to-night." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "You have a clue?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress in my life." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Yes, certainly." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on you found me to-night--and running through the front room she his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax nothing of it?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from conclusions. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. meant it for the best. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I am in hopes that she does." I shall continue with my miserable story. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the hardly wander." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "It is his hat." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much cause to be." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and as yours." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Nothing." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home six. Come in!" "It is half-past ten now." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of dramatic, in fact." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I see no marks." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to went to the Alpha were town bred." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Her father is very rich?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their meant." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? presented which may be striking and bizarre without being little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at some mystery and the punishment of some crime." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the so-precious time, but come!' usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Yes." "Married! When?" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there investigation." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons might have a private word with us. Leadenhall Street--and--" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's trifles." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no footfalls from the street. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so highroad, where all traces were lost. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. strength." be best to do. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "No, I am descending." "Stolen." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "And how did he make his money?" any little problem which you may submit to me." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and capable of preserving a secret.' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? are, I think, all that we need." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. http://gutenberg.net/license). into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to used to be." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very tell him that I know him to be innocent." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And remarked. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the felt the room to be a little close.' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "But you can know nothing of this?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that