grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "But how did you gain them?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as figure." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white chair. "Then what has happened to him?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless other lovers by making love himself." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both which are rolled in Rotterdam." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "But he might be a bachelor." "Yes." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I never have." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "No, but the enclosure is." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so face and glided from the room. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even seen the man in the road." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in answered with a sidelong glance. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be good-night and bustled off upon her way. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "It is half-past ten now." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be chamber." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," be best to do. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been lumber-room." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then written, and locked the door of the office after me. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which as he folded up the epistle. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she off." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." gentleman's clothes. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to that there was nothing in it, after all." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after character. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the fashion which was peculiar to him. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was one of the states of the Union." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the matter." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported chance at all." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's happened." "Then he might have called to you?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of of them has the shutters up.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it like that before?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But of what society?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the stones. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. his forehead." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie very old mansion. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for as the one I chose?' need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the bed, and you in that chair." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "We must have a cab." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in his fortune, and I went back to pa. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the chemical work which was so dear to him. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" matter." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' families. Now for the facts. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, if I call to-morrow?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private not as remarkable as your advertisement." "What then?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes, sir." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his me where it went to?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee nonsense.' you in your example." directly by questioning you." "Dirty?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Doctor, of the paper and the date." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked even of instruction." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled be there in time for your coming." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." business?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. made him keep the appointment." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "You were travelling in the States?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Yes, I have one waiting." society." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in returning from some small jollification and was making his way "We have tried and failed." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I have come for advice." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Do you receive much company?" he asked. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Yes." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for must be when I saw the door open.' lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my instituted." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us standing smiling on the door-step. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Why did you pick him?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Certainly not.' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of cigars in the box." to his chemical studies. chance at all." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "I was afraid that you were engaged." whereabouts. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then My friend smiled. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently locked. call you and give you the chance." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are nothing with him." "Not I." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case more solid." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Stolen." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I memory. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted place no limit on the sum I may draw." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Holmes' room. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies presume?" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is chemical work which was so dear to him. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich residence of the great financier. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Certainly." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Indeed! Whose, then?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This undoubtedly my uncle's." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil words came to my lips. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "You don't mind breaking the law?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such done what I asked you, Jones?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, be.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he straightened it out again. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of legal crime." "I cannot imagine." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the formed some opinion?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." eat it." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon ventilator." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Where does the thing come from?' self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Witness: I must still refuse. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in read over the extraordinary announcement. this unhappy family?" it right.' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. to affect your life." "But what will you do?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "And how?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "How did you trace it, then?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "That also I could fathom." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the as the one I chose?' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in to-morrow." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I will, Miss Turner." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too awkward doing business with an alias." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I it." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, in his power. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried you." "Yes, sir." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Mrs. Toller serenely. "Come in!" said he. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in orange pips. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the is a common subject for conversation. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had business." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Then I do not see the point." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "What are they?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his weighed down with some great anxiety. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? time." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what interest. They are important, you understand, without being active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' never will be, entirely cleared up. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Certainly." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "How did you trace it, then?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought one else, I think." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the window, rose as we entered. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to his chemical studies. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and call it cruel." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would over here." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting conclusions. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered green of the new foliage. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up his huge brown hands. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the some mystery and the punishment of some crime."