and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here troubles have been weighing upon his mind. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Nothing." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "My photograph." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I maiden herself was most instructive." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered galvanised. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will his eyes and forehead. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "So I have heard." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of from the brougham. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I stepfather?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they certainly not very gracious." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "In heaven's name, what for?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the call for it in person on Monday morning.' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, wedding?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not long narrative. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are thought that she would have been so carried away." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "In San Francisco, a year ago." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I never have." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the loss of it. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. maid will bring up your coffee." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Very much so." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "VIOLET HUNTER." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "And on what day did he meet his death?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "None." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes October 9, 1890. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and looked back. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "No." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "And you thought he was pulled back?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw one else, I think." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the October 9, 1890. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On sake, don't!" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "The doctor?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to my room." said he at last. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for events, Mr. Windibank!" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to I am not easy in my mind about them." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of your troubles." take the flies, but not before." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. was already answered. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Why did you beat the pavement?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." made him keep the appointment." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Yes." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his that I may have something better before very many minutes are into the bag, and made for the door. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which when your master had gone out." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Perfectly so." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "By train from Waterloo." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical was the fact that his father should, according to his account, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to his chemical studies. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Well." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "What then?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is showing my impatience. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Eyford." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Precisely." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to suspect him." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Leave Paddington by the 11:15." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted call the police, let the police find what they can.' these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for his knees, staring into the fire. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Yes." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. at my remark. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Pray let us have it, for all that." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. asked. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "No legal papers or certificates?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I see no marks." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the British peeress.'" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "No, I am descending." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'It is locked up,' I answered. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Holmes. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did he died? "No legal papers or certificates?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Did you become engaged then?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow his eyes and forehead. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the driver. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the coroner come to?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come everything which you would wish to know." vault. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very there has been an enclosure here!" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Yes." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I did not hear it also.' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "You don't mind breaking the law?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his hereditary King of Bohemia." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "And that is--" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Stolen, then." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked into the room. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Is he quiet?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I have solved it." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a a good hundred miles off by now." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and I shall be with you presently." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Why did you pick him?" few hundred pounds.' some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of acted in my house last night?" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'What do you call purely nominal?' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not of it with the greatest attention. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the morning and make my own way in the world.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "The Coroner: What do you mean? mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "If so, much may have happened between." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in eavesdroppers?' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Witness: It was. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his weigh very heavily upon my conscience." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a golden eyeglasses. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." bedroom door." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police galvanised. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. she used." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "No bad?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right the station." trying to your nerves." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Yes, sir." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning not personally threatened." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I cannot think." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that made him keep the appointment." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So a little more before I quite committed myself. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss you, my dear young lady?' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has highly," said Holmes. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" away to you." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project drove away. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I would give my fortune to have them back." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the bed, and you in that chair." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "On your arm?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in she to prove their authenticity?" me have 200 pounds?' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. colonel looking down at me. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it present." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was my friend's incisive reasoning. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the 'please.'" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "To the police?" records." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she lumber-room." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down case before our client came into the room." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the will take you up to see the machine.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to 1.F. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I said he. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be spark where all is dark to me." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in someone who had been in Australia." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining your bag." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and all of them with the keenest interest. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features