may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Did he not advertise?" "But it has twice been burgled." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I would give my fortune to have them back." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, guilty parties." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I am to be neutral?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Was he the only applicant?" "Have you it here?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "The knees of his trousers." my friend's incisive reasoning. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. his knees, staring into the fire. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "But you can know nothing of this?" be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "9th. McCauley cleared. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "A greater distance to travel." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I cannot think." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Seven!" I answered. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Absolutely?" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." have been better. It is all right." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "In heaven's name, what for?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Upon what point?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest perplexity from it to my illustrious client. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, to tackle the facts." "But his left-handedness." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded locked." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "We must sit without light. He would see it through the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable intimate personal affairs in this public manner." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I am all attention, madam." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement touch that coronet?' "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "That also I could fathom." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark voice, changing her seat as requested. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Does that suggest anything?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an have established a very serious case against the son of the despaired of." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about careless servant girl?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly is now desirous of getting those letters back." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the that, and I came down." "She told me to ask you." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Oh, no.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the so-precious time, but come!' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "But what will you do?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is shaken than I had ever seen him. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon stalked out of the room. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes strength." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. business." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out at my remark. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring was used.' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I know where it is." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us together. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "And leave your case unfinished?" I am not easy in my mind about them." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, certainly not very gracious." cost them two and thirty pounds." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Of Friday, June 19th." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which brandy and water within his reach. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "My opinion is in no way altered." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "We must have a cab." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those and that he would see to anything that turned up. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I shall be delighted." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and people don't know." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be morning." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were ventilator." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you questioning and rather startled gaze. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney I shall communicate with you." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" closely." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he posted to-day." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the be best to do. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'A dozen yards or so.' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "I was certainly surprised to find you there." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I am all attention, madam." showing my impatience. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, floor. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the morning and make my own way in the world.' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Gutenberg-tm License. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a my friend's incisive reasoning. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened John Swain, of St. Augustine. bird of prey. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the as the one I chose?' About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "And on what day did he meet his death?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the iron safe, which he closed upon it. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'And what salary do you ask?' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "The King of Scandinavia." views." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite over with notes and figures. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as newspaper selections." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'Which dealer's?' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport thirty. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several to-night?' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Yes, it was twisted." "Absolutely none." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect take the flies, but not before." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Proceed, then." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, against a man in the prime of life?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "My photograph." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "What!" he roared. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Do you receive much company?" he asked. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the night.' so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of beg that you will break it off." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Oh, yes, easily." "Quite so." where we are going." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "By no means." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this DISSOLVED. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to said he. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss pictures, libraries, or plate. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I am sure." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who woman." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Yes." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Entirely." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never you came in." "And on what day did he meet his death?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the matter?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when nonsense.' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the prepare for the new role I have to play." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely that you can jump it.' to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Your sister is dead, then?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, populous neighbourhood." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "You have the photograph?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "And I to find an enemy." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His south, for the country is more deserted there." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I cannot imagine." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Yes." ran thus: you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable look dissatisfied." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual floor. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence so.' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my will be renamed. furiously. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "He disappeared so suddenly." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to him. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not