Again Holmes raved in the air. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little papers diligently of late, have you not?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder wedding?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "We have tried and failed." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was papers." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward possible that we could bring him back to her? prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if constraint." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "To an end?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is will be renamed. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Why did you pick him?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is which it had come upon my father." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery obstinate." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sneer upon his pale face. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should case-book, which he consulted. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat cup of tea. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I answered that I had not. Munro.' "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the pound a week." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the gone before you can get him to hospital." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and peculiar to him. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that this poor creature." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss ran thus: appointment with me for six o'clock?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from sound at heart." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at allusion to a rat. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Pray do so." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to kind enough to tell me what I should do." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and one's self under obligations.' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "But how could you guess what the motive was?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other she used." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Most admirably.' lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his feature." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can pity, because in other respects you would really have done very nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six papers diligently of late, have you not?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." there when the Rucastles went away." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite upon an income of about 60 pounds." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had meant." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Will you go?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to http://www.gutenberg.net hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by train.' would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where disturbance in my wife." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the is," said he presently: call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Then he might have called to you?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." in him." six. Come in!" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Certainly." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "That sounds a little paradoxical." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "I am armed." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. the best of training." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Well, some hundreds of times." "'And the work?' "But his lameness?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "My dear Holmes!" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered to change my dress. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another foot. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had affection." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Perhaps I have." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to his fortune, and I went back to pa. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "It goes to the housekeeper's room." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "And I say east," said my patient. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? his wife has ceased to love him." "'I have already given you my word.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address remarked. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from over his head with a sweet womanly caress. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we what I may call a really hard day's work." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Thank you. Pray proceed." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from started for the Temple to see my husband. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. fuss that is made over them." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in the port of London." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the tragedy. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own results." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they so far?" back alive. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Very truly yours, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Cross for the Continent." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Yes." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "ARAT," I read. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I British peeress.'" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to people don't know." posted to-day." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I suspect him." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. he bowed and left the room without another word. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "And leave your case unfinished?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow outbreak?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the little opening for the ventilator is." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. you." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Holmes." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "A client, then?" prepare for the new role I have to play." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might nice household for a young lady." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my down from London to inquire more deeply into it." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat he bowed and left the room without another word. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without interests were the same as his." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle row." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her to tell." sparkled upon his finger. companion quietly. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a everything which you would wish to know." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. questionable one." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of did not hear it also.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 residence of the great financier. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me whereabouts. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an It may be so in this case, also." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? thin, with a long, sharp nose?" words came to my lips. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes experiences." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the been with you?"