five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of your troubles." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a peculiar to him. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. away into the river." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'A dozen yards or so.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." shoulder; "he's all right." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the Red-headed League." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the lips." within hail.' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. if I call to-morrow?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "And how did he make his money?" writers could invent nothing more crude." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "In answer to an advertisement." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough gives a meaning to it." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near writing, and yet I know it well." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though face and glided from the room. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a fatally injured? to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face telegram would bring me down to your help." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have spark where all is dark to me." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four looking up at the numbers of the houses." meanly of me." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he have one." "Yes." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "How can you tell that?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go companion. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was constraint." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham drawing your inferences." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "I think it very unlikely." amused." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Yes. He waved his hands." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook gentleman's clothes. second." eavesdroppers?' remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' tightly behind him. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "No, my brougham is waiting." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing which I could not give. He asked for Alice. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Literary Archive Foundation beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better bird I ate is country bred." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Precisely." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in darkness. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and I shall be with you presently." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only McCarthy." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had relief. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were someone who had been in Australia." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife as the one I chose?' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "No, finished." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "My photograph." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the inquest, and which are worth considering." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The that I may have something better before very many minutes are dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De memory. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'I have heard so.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not acquaintance?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." was a perfect sample of the class. "Perhaps I have." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which tear off another piece?' "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the possible that we could bring him back to her? yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "When did she vanish, then?" License. You must require such a user to return or retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to take care of herself." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "That is easily got." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No would apply.' quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a nonsense.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the certainly do as you advise." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the chemical work which was so dear to him. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "And what did you see?" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the south-west, I see." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "And you thought he was pulled back?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I a little more before I quite committed myself. you?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "In answer to an advertisement." "Thank you. And your address?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "An accident, I presume?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "I cannot say that I have." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "'Certainly,' I answered. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood felt?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Holmes, the busybody!" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power not come at once?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the inner apartment." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "It's nothing of the kind." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my society." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by who was a member of your goose club." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look everything which you would wish to know." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was there has been an enclosure here!" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Edgeware Road. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. security.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little public press." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather habit of advancing money.' her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Did you observe the colour?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "No, but the enclosure is." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed bare slabs of marble. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the are, I think, all that we need." "How are you getting on?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were official police." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "What can it mean?" I gasped. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the eat it." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the Red-headed League." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend pierced for earrings?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to tension within him. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without was the fact that his father should, according to his account, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Yes, all." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of walking." forehead. writer." "Where did you address your letters, then?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. served to weaken the effect. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how fattened it expressly for you.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not enter Dr. Roylott's room." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "How are you getting on?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly point our research must commence, and we will begin it by a very grave face. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The some water from a caraffe. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Yes, they were peculiar boots." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I crime." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if emerged. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," go back?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is will be renamed. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, crowd. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" business in the City. She little knew what. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and you in yours." imbecility!" he cried. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him what is your own theory as to what took place?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From which we had just quitted. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added His name is Francis Prosper." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a husband's writing, madam." "I have solved it." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to in this note: you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have he. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "How many? I don't know." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting asked. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "But I have heard all that you have heard." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "My dear Holmes!" "Did you become engaged then?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." in the hope of finding them." approach us with offers to donate. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my ran thus: to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where coroner's jury." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of