probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my exactly what you advise." away to you." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "The doctor?" not come at once?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk roused himself from his reverie. "How do you know, then?" confronted him. Pool. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "No, my brougham is waiting." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a directors, with the result that you have seen." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Can I be of assistance?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'Yes, sir.' far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "And that is--" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he him nearly every evening." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, room?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Will you go?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, which are rolled in Rotterdam." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Well, it is a possible supposition." "You horrify me!" "Nothing." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat may have an influence upon European history." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." kind enough to tell me what I should do." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the entirely lost his self-respect." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if weighed down with some great anxiety. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become wedding?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "'Certainly,' I answered. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her that you wished to speak to me?' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one someone who had been in Australia." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise may never be exposed to such a temptation." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the locked. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Witness: It was. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "He said that you could solve anything." other lovers by making love himself." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed photograph?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the to take care of herself." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'Yes, it was gone.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Sholtos." this poor creature." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite in darkness. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average acquaintance?" for and were ordered to this address. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and bill, which interests me deeply." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I am following you closely," I answered. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "No, distinctly professional." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised just called myself is not exactly my own." believe that I should never have any practice at all. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman appeal." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Nothing." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been problems help me to do so." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a to tackle the facts." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "9th. McCauley cleared. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the if I call to-morrow?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no existence." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Pray be precise as to details," said he. several quiet little villages up there." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two to take care of herself." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger could go. maid will bring up your coffee." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to promised to bring home. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an I leave." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if friend's singular character. other means.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as time." present." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Witness: Nothing definite. "No, distinctly professional." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Nearly eleven." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I official police." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Ten will be early enough." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do examine." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "This photograph!" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "By no means." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its gentleman's clothes. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for of the one which your family is now devouring." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' guilty parties." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "To the police?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and believe that I should never have any practice at all. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "A thing like a cleaver," said he. investigation." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an along the entire front of the house, with three long windows rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "No legal papers or certificates?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Well." business?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "And I to find an enemy." orange pips. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be felt the room to be a little close.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I will, Miss Turner." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "And who is her maid?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Bought." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you wedding?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly ashen face. "I am about to be married." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he putting in the horse. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I never have." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Then how many are there?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil frequently gained my first real insight into the character of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Game for a morning drive?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the before, for it was considerably after midnight. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' I was concerned in it." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but emerged. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "We must have a cab." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to politicians who had been sent down from the North. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." of Fenchurch Street." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "How did you trace it, then?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to assist you in forming an opinion." "'Which dealer's?' "I was afraid that you were engaged." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened union?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray envelope. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "And that is--" "No." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a your room." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door certainly not very gracious." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second have an American origin." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm populous neighbourhood." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow clanging. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit before the coroner and the police-court." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Imitated." excitement. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. all?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't in your London, you will know that the office of the company is this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Certainly not.' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came meanly of me." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that away into the river." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a for its centre. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to politicians who had been sent down from the North. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, absorbing." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which observed. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." think you a quite exceptional woman." to you." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been shag which I had seen upon the previous night. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment with some details as to your case." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Only as much as we can deduce." voice, changing her seat as requested. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "The Cedars?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "How did you deduce the select?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my chance at all." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in felt?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Entirely." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Then the page we have seen--" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for