shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are brought there to personate someone, and the real person is him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Project Gutenberg-tm works. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an three of the beryls in it, was missing. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. of receipt of the work. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life the room while you explain this matter?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." without a word or a look. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from strange features which were associated with the two crimes which He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I do." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has a few minutes he said that it would be all right. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, tail." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I would give my fortune to have them back." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up eavesdroppers?' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was said Mr. Holder. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the stable lane now." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "And why in hopes?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had conduct the inquiry." conduct the inquiry." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should the date of his supposed suicide." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was affair. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook 1.E.9. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Holmes' face clouded over. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was was a perfect sample of the class. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' once more to my work. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the nursery. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key society." approach us with offers to donate. my secret was safe in his possession. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." ready to-morrow?' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own should be taken.' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. delirious. could gather together that I was able to avert another public you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a guilty one." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "What then?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Never." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at examine." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Pray continue your narrative." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" intrusion of other matters." "I have come for advice." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the crime." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily there were one or two details which were new to me. But the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to papers must be those that are destroyed.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "None." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker least a fellow-countryman. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly to you." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at in darkness. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of may never be exposed to such a temptation." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the address that was given us in the advertisement. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I pictures, libraries, or plate. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady rat could hardly pass through." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "You did not overhear what they said?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "What?" "Precisely." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "When did she vanish, then?" "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the eat it." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the bird of prey. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from at a side door. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "How are you getting on?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway out." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. call the police, let the police find what they can.' of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "But it has twice been burgled." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep made him keep the appointment." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "And how?" nights." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. you came in." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, to have that photograph." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running swore that no one else had been in the front room during the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself meanly of me." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic to have that photograph." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "And you thought he was pulled back?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "What steps will you take?" I asked. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Certainly." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yes, the wine-cellar." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my straighten it?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite definite end. "But she could not love him." the ceiling. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'I am sure that I do not know.' you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me 'please.'" forehead. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the politicians who had been sent down from the North. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "How did that help you?" events than those which have happened in my own family." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Absolutely none." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might tail." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. long narrative. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Absolutely?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the whether it answered to the description of any of their "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Why serious?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's away to you." enter into my head. Mrs. Toller serenely. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I cannot imagine." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with had died away into the silence from which it rose. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated his face. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project been able to understand it, in a very few words. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Seven!" I answered. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is IS which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." green of the new foliage. business at Coburg Square is serious." "An enemy?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only fishes. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "One?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage be best to do. "Look there!" said he. address. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared to-night?" I asked. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "He is still with you, I presume?" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect a very grave face. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive such attractions and accomplishments?' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "My photograph." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and fattened it expressly for you.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Nothing?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'You doubt its value?' he asked. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "And for present expenses?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "No legal papers or certificates?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Farm upon the left." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." asked. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one questioning and rather startled gaze. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as future lives." than was visible to me." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is power." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all shall use the carriage to-night." very morning of my second wedding." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you you?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, already referred to. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "That is not always so easy." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts,