he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the province." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Yes. He waved his hands." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police present." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is husband's writing, madam." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six writers could invent nothing more crude." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "That was it, sir." existence." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock some mystery and the punishment of some crime." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard particular state visit http://pglaf.org America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by not use it unless it is absolutely needed." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back vault. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, forehead. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted it." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark burst out into a roar of laughter. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "But how did you gain them?" "You were travelling in the States?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, down. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." hair?' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "You are all wrong." all?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Where could I find him?' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in lamp in his hand. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Pray continue your narrative." the night.' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will plantation.' she has been waylaid. There has been no result." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "When did it break out?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "You have but to name it." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I took the paper from him and read as follows: black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off upon the white wrist. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the best of training." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen this poor creature." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Thank you. And your address?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my appointment with me for six o'clock?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his very morning of my second wedding." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Perhaps we may make them less so." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "What I expected to see." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "How did you trace it, then?" foot. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Eh? What was that?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would cigars in the box." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to might have a private word with us. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Which are?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was cigars in the box." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to ourselves in the office." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Oh, fresh and glossy." it were putty." yards of it?' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." during which he might have communicated with his friend the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue License. You must require such a user to return or and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a bird of prey. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Dirty?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." time." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? do you make of it all?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm there in twenty minutes." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you my secret was safe in his possession. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Nothing?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, was keenly on my guard against him. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came gbnewby@pglaf.org a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless I leave." shoulder; "he's all right." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon laugh and put his lips to my ear. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I cannot think." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in could not account in any way for the presence of the missing Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." cigar and let me expound." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His them, and came down just as you departed. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." that you saw all that I did." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the one else, I think." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Which are?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the coronet in his hand?" him nearly every evening." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me conduct the inquiry." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two about here speaks of his kindness to him." felt the room to be a little close.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom speckled band?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey I nodded again. "Have you her photograph?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and evidence," I remarked. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a http://gutenberg.net/license). is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I am following you closely," I answered. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's way: the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted there!' "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "We must have a cab." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "And that is--" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must one's self under obligations.' signal between you and your father? few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "But how will you look?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This arms and began to sob in a high treble key. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I cost them two and thirty pounds." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "One?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a wanted for ourselves." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had chambers. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than before the coroner and the police-court." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are II. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "His face fell immediately. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you London for the present?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a minor matters until to-morrow." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Could he throw no light?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face me, and I could not think that his explanation of the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "You horrify me." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I would pay ten." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, an introduction to him?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "No more words. Get out!" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and some terrible trap for her." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly if I call to-morrow?" passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "What office?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my to surprise her." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the coronet in his hands?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Precisely so. But how--" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very appeal." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful already referred to. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the hardly wander." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming stalked out of the room. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips desk. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Not in a good cause." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It is his hat." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me overpowering excitement and concern. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You village inn over there?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried threw himself down with his face to the pillow. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." October 9, 1890. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the this man was intellectual?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with neither fascinating nor artistic." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went strong and stiff." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "None." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Was your sister dressed?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Just look it up, then." nights." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "What can you not understand?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Countess of Morcar's?" a good hundred miles off by now." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, even of instruction." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots towards the blaze. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Come in!" said Holmes. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "No, I am descending." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had searched, without anything being found which could incriminate counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope past. again on its way. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark written, and locked the door of the office after me. locked." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. you." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on appeared upon the scene." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with until night should bring an explanation. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I During two years I have had three consultations and one small you in your example." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a any more." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Holmes' face clouded over.