"'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering opened the door, and slipped through. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry girl said." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple of his shoulders. from you?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Yes." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and what do you think they found in the pockets?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. forbidden door. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'In my own bureau.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he chance." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in address. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. strode off upon his way. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each room?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we *** START: FULL LICENSE *** theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "On Monday." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Yes." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social him and tried to hold him back. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time whatever might befall. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "So I have heard." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Yes, the wine-cellar." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the child." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, your equipment. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Quite so. She has her freedom." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Did he not advertise?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "And how?" you?' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I colonel looking down at me. his eyes and forehead. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "If so, much may have happened between." "And who is her maid?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with imbecility!" he cried. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "None." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if gives a meaning to it." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in go--none." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "How do you know, then?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in him, that man would not have given me such complete information have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as waste of energy." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed nonsense.' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Game for a morning drive?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Do you go out much in society?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. voice, changing her seat as requested. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and looked back. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "It looks newer than the other things?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is undoubtedly my uncle's." "Proceed, then." the child." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "One of the highest in England." returning from some small jollification and was making his way and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. house for five minutes.' and the church but not where the lady lived." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. tell him that I know him to be innocent." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I am about to be married." your billet.' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Why serious?" for securing the situation." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Will you bet, then?" pressing in one house as in another. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice meant." bill, which interests me deeply." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you I. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took suddenly upon us." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "How did you deduce the select?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may me where it went to?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you night.' said he. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took your most interesting statement." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I charge against him will break down." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I know where it is." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "How about poison?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. writers could invent nothing more crude." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is to arrive at through this?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "You are all wrong." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right meant." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of must compliment you." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, companion. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our works. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow unclasping of his long thin hands. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon triumphant cloud from his cigarette. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'Oh, no.' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "And for present expenses?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side hour." "Witness: It was. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'And the work?' There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Serpentine Avenue. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might there in twenty minutes." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Never to return." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally later, upon the night of May 2nd." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the not fit the lock." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I amused." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a redistribution. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his have established a very serious case against the son of the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just out of this horrible affair." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "'What, the red-headed man?' address. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should of." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the him. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the certainly not very gracious." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "You saw the ventilator, too?" DISSOLVED. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. to have that photograph." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something once more on the important position which you have been fortunate words came to my lips. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'Most admirably.' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax developed." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who to change my dress. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was had this final quarrel? Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. manager. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." death." know all about it," he snarled. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "And the murderer?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of soul! here is her carriage at the door." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "But of what society?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "If so, much may have happened between." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It official police." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Of what?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the legal crime." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'There is a drive, then?' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel you do it in twenty minutes!' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should time." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project not within a twentieth part of the market price." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile breakfast?" know all about it," he snarled. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many brain must have something in it." "'Oh, no.' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was be best to do. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Watson," he said cordially. "Your presence might be invaluable." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the one as in the other." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a about here speaks of his kindness to him." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with problems help me to do so." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such fait accompli?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf was feeling which was the fattest.' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear,