article?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "How did that help you?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. opened the door, and slipped through. "My last client of the sort was a king." know all about it," he snarled. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Yes." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, yards of it?' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "My own seal." all-comprehensive glances. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I vanished into the darkness. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal cheerful." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the as noiselessly as she had come. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some prisoner's face. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a I leave." "Well." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a breakfast?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I himself to tell his story. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a one or two very singular points about this room. For example, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Her father is very rich?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but tied." lost his Christmas dinner." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. might help us?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Mary, has deserted me." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, brandy and water within his reach. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Most admirably.' beg that you will break it off." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. indeed which he could not unravel. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after light and attacked it." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense conduct the inquiry." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "No." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been geese which you supplied to the Alpha." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of washing it down with a long draught of water. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Not social, then?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "What, then, did Peterson do?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and woman." "He disappeared so suddenly." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "And I say east," said my patient. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And you can do nothing until then?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** will be renamed. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "His face fell immediately. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a were new raised from a basin. "It is possible." "It was." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "She told me to ask you." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of see me here to avoid scandal." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed when you have done it." "The rest you will leave in our hands." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to golden eyeglasses. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Only as much as we can deduce." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is over with notes and figures. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Her father is very rich?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. carpenter." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in unkempt, staring out at me. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until should be taken.' himself to tell his story. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "That also I could fathom." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are did not hear it also.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet charged with?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own business came to an end." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. in him." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "And how did you find out?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been companion. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly lips." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the direction." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for been." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I do." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. official police." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to troubles have been weighing upon his mind. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "An enemy?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they whereabouts. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of you." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'Very good.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid to-night's adventure." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "The decline of his fortunes, then?" chance." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the tragedy. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I past. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the salesman. be.' for the market.' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "What shall I do?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "One?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Indeed! Whose, then?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped he. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not goes." someone who had been in Australia." do.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of them has the shutters up.' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed secret." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "He is still with you, I presume?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "My dear Holmes!" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I only touch the interest." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the ceiling. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "It certainly sounds feasible." in darkness. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." miles off. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very it with his own hands." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished I nodded to show that I had heard. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "We must sit without light. He would see it through the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He companion. from the brougham. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." once more for Briony Lodge. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Yes, from Horsham." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the forehead. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'I shall certainly be there.' "I have solved it." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "No bad?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Where, then, is my wife?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Ah, but I was recommended to you." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. read it out to me." in his hands." business at Coburg Square is serious." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Certainly,' I answered. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' union?" Miss Holder?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and you." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door main points of my analysis." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "My private note-paper." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought villagers almost as much as their master. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting which we had just quitted. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, bears upon the case?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'Never.' are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and where we are going." "Of what?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present it right.' about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white morning." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Always." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom that the gas is not laid on in his house?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "That is also quite modern," said the lady. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." looking up at the numbers of the houses." bedroom door." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the is four-and-twenty." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" tail." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Oh, fresh and glossy." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Witness: I must still refuse. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the papers." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself read over the extraordinary announcement. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and invisible to me," I remarked. habit of advancing money.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to such attractions and accomplishments?' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "My dear Holmes!" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of