I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I I took the paper from him and read as follows: and it need not interfere very much with one's other to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she question you as to those details which seem to me to be most lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "On Monday." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was stood on the top of it. "'About the same.' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which rat could hardly pass through." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute sooner or later she must fall a victim. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Yes, sir." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not best detective that ever lived. is so. I know all about McCarthy." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached handed it to him. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three interests were the same as his." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'About the same.' have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I don't say that. Perhaps." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "It is very kind of you." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we of them has the shutters up.' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father prove to be little relation between the different incidents of writer." at once, for I have only half an hour." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'A dozen yards or so.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Can I be of assistance?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She absorbing." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "10th. John Swain cleared. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "That is possible." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Why serious?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Eyford." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Nothing?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "It's nothing of the kind." not, dad?" she asked. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp said I. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely quite distinctive." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "'I have already given you my word.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the dangers which encompass me." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Imitated." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, woman." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a depend upon my doing so.' occupations.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into once more on the important position which you have been fortunate insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Get out!" said he. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "No, finished." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a lectures into a series of tales." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his pressing in one house as in another. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the bottom.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Why? What do you mean?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "How on earth--" "No good news?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Pope's Court. "But his left-handedness." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of could go. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a But Holmes shook his head gravely. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Heh?' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if License. You must require such a user to return or "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Then you may entirely rely on me." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "And it is--" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "And how have you succeeded?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. a monotonous occupation." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "One?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "From his hat?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the Assizes." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "And now?" He raised his hand. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was my secret was safe in his possession. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is of this gang." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United away to you." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the Friday. Was it to be in church?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed leaning back in his chair. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no forbidden door. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "What is it?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Did your wife hear all this?" "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had I leave." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "There are none." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down man. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was used.' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you paper in the air. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never things are very often connected not with the larger but with the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for people don't know." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at closing the door. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "And from a noble client?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods posted to-day." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the inquest, and which are worth considering." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I carpenter." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of gone before you can get him to hospital." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Breckinridge is his name." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. my room." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Witness: I must still refuse. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son all that?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "He might." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Nothing." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the salesman. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'What then?' I asked. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of enough to aid us in our search." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I nonsense.' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and your sleep?' sneer upon his pale face. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and is acting for the best. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the were new raised from a basin. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and I nodded to show that I had heard. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and the church but not where the lady lived." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine yards of it?' "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your like that before?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "No?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'And what salary do you ask?' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious highly," said Holmes. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the stable lane now." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed province." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers breakfast." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Never." "'Is purely nominal.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." will be renamed. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. father's young wife. "'Ample.' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "'Quite sure, dad.' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. of campaign. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was at once, for I have only half an hour." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Yes." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest humiliation." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I will, Miss Turner." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to back alive. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Then, how do you know?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Very truly yours, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where that I am arrested." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the assist you in forming an opinion." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at father's young wife. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Doctor, of the paper and the date." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau,