skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look The summons was a brief and urgent one. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." second window is the one that I jumped from." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook about. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Certainly." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible walking." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be conduct the inquiry." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which in his hands." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I don't believe it." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the one as in the other." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of returning from some small jollification and was making his way morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a pressing in one house as in another. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Street. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "And how have you succeeded?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There advice." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "'Oh, no.' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and look upon these things in a different way." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Where does the thing come from?' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "What is it, then--a fire?" "Never." throat." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, entirely lost his self-respect." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "What steps will you take?" I asked. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "You think that he is dead?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Then I do not see the point." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his as this. Pray let me have the details." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly once more on the important position which you have been fortunate consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the address that was given us in the advertisement. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I have my revolver," said I. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." round and wave him away like that.' the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was papers on the sundial.'" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be conceal it?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and used to be." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by him nearly every evening." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "The landlord of the Alpha." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over telegram would bring me down to your help." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Nothing." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good again, where I was soon asleep. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "I am following you closely," I answered. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a like that before?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "But she will refuse." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' were wasted." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I am still in the dark." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their could not have written that. It is the German who is so "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." fuss that is made over them." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite instincts rose up against that laugh. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Witness: I must still refuse. crackling voice. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days chill to my heart. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to companion. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "So I have heard." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, chill to my heart. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" own family. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "An accident, I presume?" quick march!" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Ah, but I was recommended to you." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his chill to my heart. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and tell him that I know him to be innocent." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at but preventing her from injuring another. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year looking up at the numbers of the houses." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "You have a clue?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable pictures, libraries, or plate. third from London." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Have you it here?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." there has been an enclosure here!" golden eyeglasses. shaken than I had ever seen him. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out roused himself from his reverie. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the it. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "That is unusual in a young girl." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I washing it down with a long draught of water. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the one as in the other." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the directors, with the result that you have seen." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "What shall I do?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether ceremony." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found to arrive at through this?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" photograph?" you?' both be extremely obliged.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "No sign of it?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in character. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few character. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Holmes." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "And now?" I asked. respectable self." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "You know me, then?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I cannot say that I have." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The my room." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I do." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an with the outside air!" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and always that they were such commands as a lady might with be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange you?' We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Yes, it would be as well." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still annoyance, but no jest. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I will, Miss Turner." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "He disappeared so suddenly." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Gutenberg-tm License. late!' "And the murderer?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my emerged. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her affair. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was shoulder; "he's all right." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." fear." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the advice." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp pound a week." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "So it appears." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into business at Coburg Square is serious." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her to his chemical studies. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I think that it is very probable." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than charged with?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "And I to find an enemy." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "The King of Scandinavia." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Proceed, then." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me beyond words. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I assure you that I am in your hands." Heh?' "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "It was an hour's good drive." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "You did not overhear what they said?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his when you have done it." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face had a long day." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "My dear Holmes!" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who