to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is then?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly writer." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing other means.' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I have seen the police." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set during that time.' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Game for a morning drive?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, purpose equally well?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to DAMAGE. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella most interesting one." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "None. Neville wrote those words." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, papers must be those that are destroyed.' there were so many in the whole country as were brought together matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "My dear Holmes!" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come there when the Rucastles went away." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. served to weaken the effect. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet bird I ate is country bred." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would young Openshaw's." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the best of training." the tragedy. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "But of what society?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my fait accompli?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small not fit the lock." jewels which you have stolen?' and the whole place is in a blaze." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down it were putty." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" pictures, libraries, or plate. to arrive at through this?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "It is his hat." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I assure you that I am in your hands." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, was it brought him the coronet? opened the door, and slipped through. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved always that they were such commands as a lady might with time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Pray let us have it, for all that." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil meant." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "But what will you do?" "I don't believe it." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless hereditary King of Bohemia." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me at my own good fortune. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Pray continue your narrative." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The breakfast and whispered something to her husband. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "But what is it you wish?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, yourselves in at night?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a window when the police appeared." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine as he folded up the epistle. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood question," said Holmes, smiling. "And your mother is alive?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look use an arc-and-compass breastpin." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at most interesting one." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the cheerful." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this papers." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the best detective that ever lived. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "And help." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who purpose equally well?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as straighten it?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the States. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting a few minutes he said that it would be all right. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." instincts rose up against that laugh. "The landlord of the Alpha." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the bottom.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." me. You must get home instantly and act." are, I think, all that we need." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "No sign of it?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her outside. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "To ruin me." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be fluttered off among the others. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Has he come with you to-night?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was she used." brandy and water within his reach. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "My stepfather's business papers." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Where to?' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked I. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside locked." careless servant girl?" "At what time?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of possible that we could bring him back to her? behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every prove to be little relation between the different incidents of beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I see no marks." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Not I." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "But what will you do?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining his wife has ceased to love him." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "How often?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the words came to my lips. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally bears upon the case?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and this unhappy family?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen never to learn it at all." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, investigation." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the side-table." "'A dozen yards or so.' left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, brain must have something in it." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." she to prove their authenticity?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were went to the Alpha were town bred." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch even so self-evident a thing as that." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and me upon any point which I do not make clear." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at than was visible to me." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Certainly." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was feature." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and infinite languor in his face. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a of this gang." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of dead, shall be safe with us." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' with you alone." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "What of the rat, then?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'I have heard so.' out of this horrible affair." tied." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "How did that help you?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a observed. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf paper in the air. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent strength." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after a room. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I that you saw all that I did." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in occurred." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "The Coroner: What do you mean? cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among examine." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, IS and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Entirely." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his newspaper selections." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem he bowed and left the room without another word. some water from a caraffe. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Yes." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which redistribution. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. For additional contact information: it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Yes, only one." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Ample." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman writers could invent nothing more crude." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "The landlord of the Alpha." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls is," said he presently: dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the My friend smiled. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or be. "They are typewritten," I remarked. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the get the tickets."