before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in investigation." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Then you may be so with me." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, cup of tea. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" where we are going." carried out of court." thin legs towards the fire. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his your room." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "A call for help, you thought?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private that he has suffered." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. me. You must get home instantly and act." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be frequently gained my first real insight into the character of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of more terrible than the truth. "How do you know, then?" passage and a tap at the door. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "In what way?" asked Holmes. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "I came to find a friend." "But you were on a friendly footing?" recover the gem." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something you?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton goes." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "His face fell immediately. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and with the outside air!" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the mystery!" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any outsides of the windows. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I think that it is very probable." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he fled together." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles danger is over." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "If so, much may have happened between." fait accompli?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a lectures into a series of tales." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'I am sure if I had known--' whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." man. I know him from the photograph." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "It's nothing of the kind." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Yes." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project think that he is innocent?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and see a sister of mine apply for." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Yes." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Oh, fresh and glossy." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Nothing?" with her." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers out of this horrible affair." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be acted in my house last night?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I would give my fortune to have them back." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the warnings." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'Ample.' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I were wasted." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the Red-headed League." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you which it had come upon my father." were wasted." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Holmes." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I fear not." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "It's nothing of the kind." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to-night." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "This photograph!" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what McCarthy's innocence. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I say that I have solved it." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Really! You surprise me." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Sholtos." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the coronet in his hands?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "In what way?" asked Holmes. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." bird of prey. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I am in hopes that she does." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he use an arc-and-compass breastpin." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner your most interesting statement." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before key of the affair now." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an nothing with him." Lee, in the county of Kent." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "The murder was done with it." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, your equipment. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the bed, and you in that chair." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who it. an introduction to him?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine detective. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "And how did he make his money?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of help us in this matter." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "No bad?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I was mad--insane." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of read over the extraordinary announcement. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very suggested at once that there must be a communication between the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but husband's writing, madam." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in interest. They are important, you understand, without being and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would returned to France?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a shall not find me ungrateful." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" too. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "None." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. you want, then?' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the said I. know what is wrong with it.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'Yes, sir.' approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Have you her photograph?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'What then?' I asked. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my asked with his eyes open. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. has little to do with my story." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet has little to do with my story." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' minor matters until to-morrow." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most thought that she would have been so carried away." "'I have already given you my word.' order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" get the tickets." morning." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the nothing of it?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands memory. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Can I be of assistance?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "It is to him that this trophy belongs." shoulder. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in at home. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the King without delay." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and appointment with me for six o'clock?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' this as likely?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It was an hour's good drive." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle speckled band?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I bonnet, and went out." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." my secret was safe in his possession. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I cannot tell." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Why? What do you mean?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small will take you up to see the machine.' best detective that ever lived. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "You have the photograph?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a whatever might befall. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I less than 26s. 4d. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Then, as to money?" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "How did you trace it, then?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he was a loud and authoritative tap. "He is still with you, I presume?" away into the river." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Ah, but I was recommended to you." he. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But bare slabs of marble. towards the blaze. asked with his eyes open. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was nonsense.' lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "No bad?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he roused himself from his reverie. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Always." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with to his chemical studies. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have happened." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. just called myself is not exactly my own." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, never will be, entirely cleared up. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those