"I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you you." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "What is it?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as said Mr. Holder. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "And why in hopes?" "You will not go there first?" be best to do. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered on re-entering her father's house?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my His name is Francis Prosper." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I have a cab outside." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction province." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me get her out of the way." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "By no means." "And from a noble client?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country you found me to-night--and running through the front room she groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it voice, changing her seat as requested. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." there!' gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Doctor, of the paper and the date." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. carried out of court." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the His name is Francis Prosper." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow ventilator." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Does that suggest anything?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I crime." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always she has been waylaid. There has been no result." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the inquest, and which are worth considering." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "You heard nothing yourself last night?" skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You have the photograph?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I plantation.' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "You did not overhear what they said?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, before, for it was considerably after midnight. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my father's young wife. "He is dead," cried several voices. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, there when the Rucastles went away." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey on re-entering her father's house?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "No." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'No, I know no one in these parts.' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' three of the beryls in it, was missing. shoulder; "he's all right." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he been anything against him. He had for years been known as a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an long narrative. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at some water from a caraffe. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon you for a few hours?" "How did you deduce the select?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done taking in every detail of the apartment. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Thank you. And your address?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "And you can do nothing until then?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though becomes even more simple." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came written. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He call for it in person on Monday morning.' into the bag, and made for the door. deduce something from that?" status with the IRS. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite License. You must require such a user to return or but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I cannot imagine." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. case before our client came into the room." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you directors, with the result that you have seen." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his at a side door. dear old homesteads?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly page at http://pglaf.org about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' be best to do. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "And you can do nothing until then?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Nearly eleven." 11:15.' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "So I heard. You have him here?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. this poor creature." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not think that any burglar could have done. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "And your father? Did you tell him?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "So I am. Very much so." side. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Upon what point?" neither fascinating nor artistic." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so useful material for showing traces. The double line a little stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking jewels which you have stolen?' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting gone. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the and have this put in the evening papers." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I came to find a friend." invisible to me," I remarked. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "You will not go there first?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Nothing?" "That is not always so easy." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "None." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the devil!" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my showing my impatience. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London mystery!" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the your troubles." character. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all roused himself from his reverie. bell. Holmes whistled. his knees, staring into the fire. spark where all is dark to me." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently shag which I had seen upon the previous night. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to formed some opinion?" the stable lane now." business?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, grasp, he hurried from the room. again before evening." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the devil!" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you congratulate you again." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "No. What a strange idea!" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Awake, Watson?" he asked. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the his face. Miss Holder?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Doctor, of the paper and the date." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in business in the City. She little knew what. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "And what did you see?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "The decline of his fortunes, then?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I am about to be married." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "We have tried and failed." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "In heaven's name, what for?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "We were both in the photograph." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the interests were the same as his." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out dear old homesteads?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "But we can't all be." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the thought that she would have been so carried away." pound a week." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "What do you make of that, Watson?" "But how did you gain them?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Munro.' wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young License. You must require such a user to return or "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her lids now and glanced across at his visitor. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and will he say when he returns?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being noble correspondent could be. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I have solved it." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On your billet.' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'Yes, sir.' unclasping of his long thin hands. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It have established a very serious case against the son of the "I think that it is very probable." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "How about poison?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened me. You must get home instantly and act." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, goes." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Very truly yours, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my there!' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know