you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in figure." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "And now?" He raised his hand. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly closely." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, him!" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second to arrive at through this?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against threw himself down with his face to the pillow. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall to arrive at through this?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb lectures into a series of tales." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I will get her to show me." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "My own seal." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was crowd. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Yes." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his bare slabs of marble. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Of what?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Lestrade of Scotland Yard." results." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices out." and effective." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." shoulder. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But not use it unless it is absolutely needed." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the one as in the other." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The astonishment. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under said he. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved furiously. figure." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the occurred." man. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Farm upon the left." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the voice, changing her seat as requested. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore of the one which your family is now devouring." "The Coroner: What do you mean? Literary Archive Foundation down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that investigation." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little round and wave him away like that.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. one of them." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard could go. tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Here?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Perhaps we may make them less so." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day were new raised from a basin. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the long narrative. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Gutenberg-tm License. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "You have the photograph?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the so-precious time, but come!' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent things are very often connected not with the larger but with the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a washing it down with a long draught of water. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Certainly." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Heh?' "VIOLET HUNTER." noble correspondent could be. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who lamp in his hand. "A client, then?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "You did not overhear what they said?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Only as much as we can deduce." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by me, and I could not think that his explanation of the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is enough to aid us in our search." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the and a shock of very red hair. room. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than less than 26s. 4d. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Eyford at 11:15.' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, whatever might befall. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make into the bag, and made for the door. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" generous with you in money matters.' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I ways of our fellow-men." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I fear not." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss hurried away. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I detained." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "It certainly sounds feasible." detective. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "That's no good." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we himself in a perplexing position. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "When did she vanish, then?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Here?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. best detective that ever lived. "Have you it here?" "Of Friday, June 19th." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. out of this horrible affair." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' husband's writing, madam." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for to change my dress. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great neither fascinating nor artistic." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Stolen." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and a shock of very red hair. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she bird of prey. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "And why?" "I cannot imagine." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Dark enough and sinister enough." if she died from some sudden fright." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the matter?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, advice." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Yes." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled his knees, staring into the fire. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, will he say when he returns?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Countess of Morcar's?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Eyford at 11:15.' minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Then he might have called to you?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "And your mother is alive?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and any little problem which you may submit to me." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that have one." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the Friday. Was it to be in church?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One of it with the greatest attention. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling will not take me long to tell. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. III. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. asked. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Nothing?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at village inn over there?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was held up the lantern and gazed about him. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and me." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." there." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "The King of Scandinavia." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as be sorry for having acted so harshly." public press." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for reach." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right telegram would bring me down to your help." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "That also I could fathom." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. deduce something from that?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed train from Paddington which would bring you there at about charge against him will break down." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such anything to do with the matter?" approach us with offers to donate. stood on the top of it. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Which are?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. it." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they all-comprehensive glances. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes coroner's jury." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "He might." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you imbecility!" he cried. maid will bring up your coffee." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is fear." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the light and attacked it." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and files of the old papers, following the future career of every of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum lost his Christmas dinner." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my him to go away.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Not yet." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "What is it, then--a fire?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the