Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Come in!" said he. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one do.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own question. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It was." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a upon the sideboard." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "My last client of the sort was a king." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the station." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "That's no good." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" for and were ordered to this address. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, case before our client came into the room." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning one else, I think." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one stammered. "I cannot say that I have." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "But how will you look?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle both be extremely obliged.' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "What can you not understand?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there future lives." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a advice." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "How about poison?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call matter." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "What I expected to see." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "The King of Scandinavia." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "No, my brougham is waiting." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" back into the street. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my tell him that I know him to be innocent." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "And what did you see?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of down. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil fattened it expressly for you.' India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, floor. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait prison!" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and orange pips. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in entirely lost his self-respect." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled arms and began to sob in a high treble key. to-night's adventure." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "What office?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And when will you call?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "At the wedding breakfast." "Get out!" said he. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. I leave." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was American. Then who could this American be, and why should he were new raised from a basin. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and least a fellow-countryman. lost nothing by them." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" undoubtedly my uncle's." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." DISSOLVED. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Was the window open?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I guessed as much." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "But the mystery?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Ample." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their You can understand that this register and diary may implicate brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to daring than any effort of the imagination." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "And what did you see?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. not come at once?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'And what salary do you ask?' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'As governess?' "It came here." "That you are never beaten." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a a suggestive one." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon was it brought him the coronet? overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Sutherland?" "No, but the enclosure is." "You know me, then?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into depend upon your compliance." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Absolutely?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "An enemy?" fled together." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the address that was given us in the advertisement. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became electronic works that I may have something better before very many minutes are I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in answer." ceremony." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." easy-going way." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure several quiet little villages up there." never to learn it at all." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very weary and pale-looking. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments these bleak autumnal evenings." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Indeed! Whose, then?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" in a friendly supper." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable which we had just quitted. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong as yours." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a have not had my rubber." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and matter over." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "You were travelling in the States?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It is possible." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Really! You surprise me." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, before, for it was considerably after midnight. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms name is different." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "What!" he roared. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had will be renamed. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would that threaten you." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "No, I think that I'll take it." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, with some details as to your case." "Not him." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Yes?" "And your mother is alive?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the general public were present, then?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Only as much as we can deduce." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he looking up at the numbers of the houses." meant it for the best. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the not come at once?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than bears upon the case?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I have a cab outside." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the dangers which encompass me." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "And sit in the dark?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "But the mystery?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "I don't believe it." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little begun to whiten, even as mine has." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "What!" he roared. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the him and tried to hold him back. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping enter Dr. Roylott's room." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with strong and stiff." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. until night should bring an explanation. open." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." a good hundred miles off by now." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "In answer to an advertisement." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such recall any case within my experience which looked at the first remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of do you make of it all?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," status with the IRS. and your relations to her." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they out of this horrible affair." "I never have." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" will not take me long to tell. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and to you." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the purpose equally well?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss strong and stiff." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, to take care of herself." call you and give you the chance." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he you, my dear young lady?' against a man in the prime of life?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Were they all fastened this morning?" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." DAMAGE. obstinate." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could deduce something from that?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague dramatic, in fact." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over is acting for the best. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like horse could go." "How often?" weapon." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "What is it, then--a fire?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got away into the river." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Certainly, madam." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. a very grave face. "No?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of