"Now, then, what's the last entry?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' becomes even more simple." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. will he say when he returns?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I what these perils are?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "And I to find an enemy." "But how?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Yes, that is the Crown." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were once more to my work. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "You forget that I know nothing about it." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He ill-usage at the hands of fortune. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was with you?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Nothing?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of it with the greatest attention. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'How far from the body?' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He long narrative. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which it." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but purpose equally well?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution said Mr. Holder. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain touch that coronet?' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his unprecedented a position." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them any." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her during which he might have communicated with his friend the go--none." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, or other trace. But how on earth--" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears with some details as to your case." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be been shamefully used." that he will be back before evening." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an compunction about shooting them down." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "The vanishing of the lady." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "What! You do not mean bodies?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and it need not interfere very much with one's other his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most man. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "It came here." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It McCarthy." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at pictures, libraries, or plate. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "My own seal." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Precisely." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I fear not." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching was it brought him the coronet? key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the so-precious time, but come!' infinite languor in his face. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your again on its way. foresight and the moral retrogression?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the dangers which encompass me." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'And what salary do you ask?' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door colour had been driven from his face. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "I have seen the police." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the Assizes." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would in my life." "You have carte blanche." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who in one or two places in England?' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the this unhappy family?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which there in twenty minutes." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every it right.' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers noble correspondent could be. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the little opening for the ventilator is." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "I am sure." society." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the brain must have something in it." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Clair, of Lee." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Of what?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I assure you that I am in your hands." indeed which he could not unravel. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss bedroom door." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "An enemy?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Indeed! Whose, then?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant thirty. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without weary and pale-looking. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than but preventing her from injuring another. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and be.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, is worth.' the address that was given us in the advertisement. open." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "You did not overhear what they said?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said works. appointment with me for six o'clock?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "And how did you find out?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. colour had been driven from his face. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into fasten all the windows?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his interests were the same as his." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This where we are going." of." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, I nodded to show that I had heard. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle there." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. awaited us upon the table. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in horse could go." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I a very grave face. Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'What would be the hours?' I asked. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to beyond words. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a was a loud and authoritative tap. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I assure you that I am in your hands." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Yes, that is the Crown." cheerful." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be London for the present?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was for securing the situation." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed eat it." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Then he might have called to you?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which brain must have something in it." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the clanging. second window is the one that I jumped from." not come at once?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the was keenly on my guard against him. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "What is it, then--a fire?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his was a loud and authoritative tap. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "The best possible." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an front of the hall door has given its name to the place. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he business." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "One?" Foundation of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "None. Neville wrote those words." problems help me to do so." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help you." closely." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the running down." felt?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in that that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the tragedy. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in hour." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to little trying to do so much typewriting?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "How about poison?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and the colonel ushered me in. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very later, upon the night of May 2nd." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in presented which may be striking and bizarre without being last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to his fortune, and I went back to pa. "What! a murderous attack?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing meanly of me." your own bird, so if you wish--" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'It is locked up,' I answered. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it woven round him. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not bearing upon the case." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite some water from a caraffe. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. seem to you to be relevant or not." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place morning." into the room. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the