"'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive conclusions. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my outside. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Stoke Moran." crime." "That you are never beaten." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'Very good.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my husband's writing, madam." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were what is your own theory as to what took place?" had formerly been in part my own. and capable of preserving a secret.' Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Here?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "None. Neville wrote those words." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Here?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Where, then?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I am still in the dark." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "In what way?" asked Holmes. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "By no means." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and glanced through. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Yes." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a of a light. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone open." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss bachelor.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the second window is the one that I jumped from." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I cannot tell." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to know that the truth is known." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very enough to aid us in our search." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "It came here." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address chambers. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood sentimental considerations in the background which would induce could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had his eyes and forehead. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that fattened it expressly for you.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps about here speaks of his kindness to him." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "No." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling 'I should be able to look after that for you.' exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a address. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." villagers almost as much as their master. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a entirely lost his self-respect." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid pierced for earrings?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small memory. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a which was all perfectly true. kindly on the shoulder. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "At the wedding breakfast." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, business at Coburg Square is serious." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. for and were ordered to this address. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Then I can wait in the next room." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, that?' that much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he works. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the morning and make my own way in the world.' nothing with him." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that held up the lantern and gazed about him. beg that you will break it off." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Is he quiet?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Come in!" said Holmes. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop mystery." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Deserted you?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly that he will be back before evening." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, out of this horrible affair." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar presume?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and open." "The murder was done with it." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of DAMAGE. know all about it," he snarled. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From strong and stiff." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said and have this put in the evening papers." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Foundation "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client true." shoulder; "he's all right." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried at my own good fortune. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray meant." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. signal between you and your father? quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "How did you trace it, then?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the at my own good fortune. "By train from Waterloo." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "So I am. Very much so." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Proceed, then." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Will you bet, then?" "'Is purely nominal.' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Certainly,' I answered. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick comes from the middle window." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Very. But will he see it?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular interests were the same as his." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw soul! here is her carriage at the door." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No, I am descending." someone who had been in Australia." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our shall not find me ungrateful." chambers. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when deduce something from that?" forebodings. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." said I. your only hope of safety." that there was nothing in it, after all." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and I approached. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would to arrive at through this?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set indeed which he could not unravel. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Why? What do you mean?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I fear not." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'Never,' said I. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little crowd. "And why in hopes?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no ill-usage at the hands of fortune. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the and your relations to her." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, again before evening." to Leatherhead. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to article?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must unclasping of his long thin hands. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave prepare for the new role I have to play." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his that I am arrested." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and have this put in the evening papers." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. fasten all the windows?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his then?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "And how?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the child." "Quite so." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "None." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the happened." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life was used.' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent present strange and interesting features that it is no easy pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. disappearance of these gems?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Nearly eleven." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "But how?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small searched, without anything being found which could incriminate into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "It is true that I have been generally successful." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy that you saw all that I did." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "That sounds a little paradoxical." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "And Miss Sutherland?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Her father is very rich?" upon the sideboard." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "No. What a strange idea!" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he highly," said Holmes. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I never came back." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Murdered?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a