formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been guilty parties." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "None. Neville wrote those words." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything fattened it expressly for you.' bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Literary Archive Foundation "And who is her maid?" the driver. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Miss Holder?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Then I can wait in the next room." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a as yours." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Yes, all." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the King without delay." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "An accident, I presume?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the coat-tails." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a his eyes and forehead. washing it down with a long draught of water. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "She will not sell." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "That is possible." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would James Windibank. Voilà tout!" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room disappearance of these gems?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which DAMAGE. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled noise which awoke you from your sleep?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the way in everything. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must purpose equally well?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was bears upon the case?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to over with notes and figures. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "No, I think that I'll take it." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it which it had come upon my father." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society sooner or later she must fall a victim. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "No." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the matter?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I here." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it within hail.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord crowd. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your been lifted and conveyed somewhere." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Not particularly." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left thin legs towards the fire. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and lost nothing by them." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the everything which you would wish to know." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to congratulate you again." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Why, what do you mean?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew bill, which interests me deeply." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the she used." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "So I heard. You have him here?" "What have you to say now?" man. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Will you bet, then?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, voice. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you directly by questioning you." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George enter into my head. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the During two years I have had three consultations and one small you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," less than 26s. 4d. "'Where could I find him?' one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the fasten all the windows?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide for securing the situation." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "When did she vanish, then?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "My dear Holmes!" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced have not had my rubber." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK his face. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Yes." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "But what will you do?" bedroom door." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there of the efforts of the United States government and of the better too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the Red-headed League." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your anything to a woman, for she would have her way." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean coroner's jury." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "What! Had he lost his wife?" which we had just quitted. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I do." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "It's nothing of the kind." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or trying to your nerves." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Then I shall certainly come." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Which dealer's?' papers on the sundial.'" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or ourselves in the office." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Heh?' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand States. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment all that?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry became a certainty. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Did you become engaged then?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress your Highness to the police-station?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet said he. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, have got?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious down from London to inquire more deeply into it." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of furiously. and I shall be with you presently." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" would apply.' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "A client, then?" them, and came down just as you departed. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Of what day?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one salesman. these bleak autumnal evenings." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the not fit the lock." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know examination of the premises, but without finding anything which not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Yes, sir." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him she has been waylaid. There has been no result." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Tired-looking or fresh?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, head. So long, then!" "'Which dealer's?' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "He is dead," cried several voices. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of villagers almost as much as their master. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining joking. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent standing smiling on the door-step. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no are, I think, all that we need." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of formed some opinion?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Because he was handy and would come cheap." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope until night should bring an explanation. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "That is unusual in a young girl." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a IS "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "No bad?" before the coroner and the police-court." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable made him keep the appointment." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us your only hope of safety." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. against a man in the prime of life?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "But she will refuse." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out closely." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "You are all wrong." window when the police appeared." hard-headed British jury." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. followed. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, crime." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Perhaps I have." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "You horrify me." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast young Openshaw's." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were again." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper me, and I could not think that his explanation of the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "And you can do nothing until then?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," to Leatherhead. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "In heaven's name, what for?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs.