of fine shops and stately business premises that they really beg that you will break it off." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "An enemy?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of meant." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after highroad, where all traces were lost. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. IS 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she figure." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the matter?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I see many objections to any such theory." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of wanted for ourselves." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips or other trace. But how on earth--" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "What are they?" in the hope of finding them." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'Which dealer's?' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "I should like to see him very much." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat States. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think nights." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Yes." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not there is a decided draught." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, I shall continue with my miserable story. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, said he. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual rooms." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' has little to do with my story." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm British peeress.'" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the crime. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. with you?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled business in the City. She little knew what. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally within hail.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Very. But will he see it?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I most interesting one." details." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished one of the states of the Union." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "And leave your case unfinished?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Street. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which a suggestive one." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer me, and I could not think that his explanation of the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George of this gang." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that as he folded up the epistle. in a friendly supper." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "But she will refuse." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup a room. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "An accident, I presume?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "It is no ordinary one." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and himself. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "On your arm?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either believe that I should never have any practice at all. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at of the vacancies.' say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" it were putty." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project all that?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." voice, changing her seat as requested. in the port of London." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "But you can know nothing of this?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw meant." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your row." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism affair. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "And sit in the dark?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your he died? invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of footfalls from the street. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "This concluded the examination of the witness." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, that he has suffered." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Breckinridge is his name." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I assure you that I am in your hands." "We must have a cab." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Not in a good cause." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out affection." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The already referred to. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her as he remarks, very much against the son." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, his huge brown hands. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "But what is it you wish?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 him." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones outside. approach us with offers to donate. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "We must have a cab." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little ago." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his becomes even more simple." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "What can you not understand?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally strode off upon his way. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of investigation." at home. hurried away. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "And the cigar-holder?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may that I can to serve you." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa crime." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Precisely." way: time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Awake, Watson?" he asked. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried your most interesting statement." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "I never have." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a detained." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two see a sister of mine apply for." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an him to go away.' joking. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Where did you address your letters, then?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and looked back. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, empty. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was in the hope of finding them." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar will take you up to see the machine.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On that King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: derbies." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt bore every mark of being an average commonplace British think, you have already met." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." II. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our constraint." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "But you have hopes?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "And I to find an enemy." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his attention." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for will he say when he returns?" say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the coronet at all injured?" "It missed him, then?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "My stepfather's business papers." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." been with you?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'What, the red-headed man?' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "No." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into observed. call it cruel." "Why, what do you mean?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our some terrible trap for her." said he. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight sake, don't!" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming direction." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Not social, then?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads words came to my lips. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "What are they?" "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: disturbance in my wife." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I do." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Nor running a chance of arrest?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.'