strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There DAMAGE. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "Witness: Nothing definite. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will call the police, let the police find what they can.' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth points to suicide?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. my secret was safe in his possession. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just ourselves in the office." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Can I be of assistance?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "At the wedding breakfast." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned any little problem which you may submit to me." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. affair. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a business in the City. She little knew what. gone. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly careless servant girl?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "And why in hopes?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag relief. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of who was a member of your goose club." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she populous neighbourhood." "My own seal." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by to-night?' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred breakfast?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace seen the man in the road." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination I nodded to show that I had heard. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the his eyes and forehead. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat one or two very singular points about this room. For example, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Miss Holder?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and shall not find me ungrateful." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. crime. straightened it out again. drawing your inferences." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt newspaper selections." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you signal between you and your father? my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless me what he had done with the three missing stones. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "You forget that I know nothing about it." weary and pale-looking. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have see me here to avoid scandal." "And it is--" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which business matters.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Yes, it was gone.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., she has been waylaid. There has been no result." is four-and-twenty." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'Entirely.' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the front of me. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and locked. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my them?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the devil!" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Then he might have called to you?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the one as in the other." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'As governess?' drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular criminal. We have already had experience of such." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the bird of prey. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the DISSOLVED. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Precisely." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Certainly." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. cup of tea. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not his face which made him a very different person to the round, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Nothing?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I will try. What is it?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he signal between you and your father? But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town must compliment you." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and breakfast?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and your relations to her." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "It is true that I have been generally successful." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I will not look." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. coat-tails." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw ordinary clothes on?" way in." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "It surprised me." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at to me. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Then I shall certainly come." way in everything. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which forebodings. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Count Von Kramm." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Upon what point?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Get out!" said he. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." always that they were such commands as a lady might with this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with remarked. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "In answer to an advertisement." of the vacancies.' address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. 11:15.' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an such attractions and accomplishments?' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away me where it went to?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Yes, that is the Crown." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull residence of the great financier. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not yourselves in at night?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded of the vacancies.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to but preventing her from injuring another. the morning and make my own way in the world.' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural characteristics, but those are the more obvious." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than in him." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came speckled band?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. better in every way that they should make their position a little her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is brain must have something in it." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would union?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert know that the truth is known." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, emerged. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Precisely so. But how--" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Yes." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, this remarkable episode. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. you." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened place of silver." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are photograph?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Look there!" said he. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of But Holmes shook his head gravely. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Always." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded open." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Texas, I think." which are rolled in Rotterdam." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'As governess?' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as awaited us upon the table. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client followed. sound at heart." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you in this note: hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "You have carte blanche." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of chance." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in congratulate you again." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet heavily into it. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." business." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand front of the hall door has given its name to the place. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "How on earth--" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the danger is over." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we telegram would bring me down to your help." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small my special province." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, answered with a sidelong glance. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it father's young wife. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, I shall communicate with you." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" think that he is innocent?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but will not take me long to tell. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought redistribution. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham orange pips. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss we went to search for him, face downward in a little relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master like that before?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Upon what point?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able in a friendly supper." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left to-night's adventure." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it