from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself his face which made him a very different person to the round, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he away into the river." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "No sign of it?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could someone who had been in Australia." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "No, thank goodness, she did not." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. possible that we could bring him back to her? very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can married her." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and already referred to. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and four million human beings all jostling each other within the of campaign. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I will get her to show me." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was brandy and water within his reach. plantation.' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very was already answered. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond character. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every room had already been engaged for us. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "My dear Holmes!" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough But Holmes shook his head gravely. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the arrested. You then--" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. went to the Alpha were town bred." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the opportunities to fix the problem. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him death." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, of the vacancies.' really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Certainly." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow written. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to at once, for I have only half an hour." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My kindly on the shoulder. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him confronted him. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little depend upon my doing so.' opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged sparkled upon his finger. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black until night should bring an explanation. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All legal crime." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Yes, I have one waiting." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself placed his cuttings. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice call the police, let the police find what they can.' "But you have hopes?" "I am to be neutral?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and everything which you would wish to know." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And Irene Adler?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'Yes, it was gone.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the room while you explain this matter?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I came to find a friend." awaited us upon the table. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey again on its way. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "And how did he make his money?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been I am not easy in my mind about them." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to generous with you in money matters.' making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." business in the City. She little knew what. fait accompli?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their down from London to inquire more deeply into it." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as do.' the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss never to learn it at all." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I beg pardon." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "And I say east," said my patient. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." arrangements." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "You will not go there first?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy see a sister of mine apply for." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, orange pips. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was companion imperturbably. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." imbecility!" he cried. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Holmes. "And that is--" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with you." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "And your mother is alive?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, chance at all." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their this as likely?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would must compliment you." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is enter into my head. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect vanished into the darkness. just called myself is not exactly my own." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy of receipt of the work. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." security.' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "What, then, did Peterson do?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and into the bag, and made for the door. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was showing my impatience. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I should be immensely obliged to you." for its centre. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "No?" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "And now?" He raised his hand. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will John Swain, of St. Augustine. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to an introduction to him?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Yes, he did." guilty parties." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the later, upon the night of May 2nd." giving me time to thank him. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out whole matter to your consideration." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs cheerful." down. chemical work which was so dear to him. round with crates and massive boxes. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is not use it unless it is absolutely needed." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a shall not find me ungrateful." "Where, indeed?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "What! Had he lost his wife?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Not particularly." true." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are side. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "By all means." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far round with crates and massive boxes. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss brain must have something in it." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and both be extremely obliged.' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" interests were the same as his." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded as noiselessly as she had come. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "No good news?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND felt the room to be a little close.' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." compunction about shooting them down." knowledge of the world." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included danger is over." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be lips." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You have the photograph?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I article?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is words came to my lips. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed so far?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, was a loud and authoritative tap. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. peculiar to him. acted in my house last night?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and ventilator." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are correct than the official force." the very morning of the wedding." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the over here." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might your bag." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is The events in question occurred in the early days of my