making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." some water from a caraffe. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper generous with you in money matters.' definite end. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the side-table." "Not in a good cause." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an to change my dress. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" have accepted such a situation. "What can it mean?" I gasped. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in open." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for taking in every detail of the apartment. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid I nodded again. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "None. Neville wrote those words." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Then I shall certainly come." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have must be when I saw the door open.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "None." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." light and attacked it." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Has he come with you to-night?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" October 9, 1890. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their unprofitable." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened not come at once?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At charged with?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow advice." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either done what I asked you, Jones?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Ample." "You saw the ventilator, too?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this http://gutenberg.net/license). "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the there!' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Thank you. And your address?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "What do you mean?" "And when will you call?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Was your sister dressed?" "Dirty?" back to my heart. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A not, dad?" she asked. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who definite end. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "I warn you that they are very incomplete." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir that I am arrested." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of stammered. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, outbreak?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously there when the Rucastles went away." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I see me here to avoid scandal." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his ways including including checks, online payments and credit card The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my see a sister of mine apply for." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very direction." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. indeed which he could not unravel. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I don't believe it." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather then?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all jewels which you have stolen?' resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Then I shall certainly come." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for I nodded to show that I had heard. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by observed. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Not social, then?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' redistribution. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "You forget that I know nothing about it." "A call for help, you thought?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler round with crates and massive boxes. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press country, and eventually married, without anyone having a sake, don't!" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed neither fascinating nor artistic." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Sutherland?" problems help me to do so." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every even of instruction." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. bedroom door." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Yes." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my me. You must get home instantly and act." in his hands." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we giving me time to thank him. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, drove away. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and your relations to her." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "But his left-handedness." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture matter." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an American. Then who could this American be, and why should he and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "It's nothing of the kind." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner drove away. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "It was." for and were ordered to this address. mystery may be cleared along those lines." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to-night's adventure." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to village inn over there?" "Ha! you find it so?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long lamp. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in of his shoulders. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Was she in good spirits?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom crowd. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." charge against him will break down." client, rising. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had himself in a perplexing position. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that orange pips. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Dr. Becher's." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then speckled band?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case there were so many in the whole country as were brought together face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is him!" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the I shall communicate with you." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for again." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." in the dead of the night?' particular state visit http://pglaf.org fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she looking up at the numbers of the houses." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove thin, with a long, sharp nose?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I cost them two and thirty pounds." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the coronet at all injured?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked touch that coronet?' hurried by. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," my secret was safe in his possession. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "But what is it you wish?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would cup of tea. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "None." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when already been minutely examined." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Deserted you?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger chamber." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "My private note-paper." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and in his hands." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a come either from the window or the door. My attention was security.' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the ceiling. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking nothing with him." arrangements." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, instincts rose up against that laugh. know all about it," he snarled. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the telegram would bring me down to your help." chemical work which was so dear to him. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. breakfast." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' true." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across he. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most standing smiling on the door-step. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his unclasping of his long thin hands. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the second window is the one that I jumped from." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. indiscretion." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." my friend's incisive reasoning. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate in a friendly supper." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that heavy and sharp instrument." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two constraint." father's place of business?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of you in your example." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a not fit the lock." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I was afraid that you were engaged." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Do you receive much company?" he asked. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady giving me time to thank him. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Pray let us have it, for all that." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. extraordinary contortions. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "But you were on a friendly footing?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have papers must be those that are destroyed.' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had