"I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "9th. McCauley cleared. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Yes, only one." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of village inn over there?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "You have the photograph?" had picked up in the wood. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me your own bird, so if you wish--" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "It is solved." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "ARAT," I read. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "It must be recovered." him to go away.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "What is it?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to examination of the premises, but without finding anything which quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "But his left-handedness." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here fishes. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Where to?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "If I can be of use." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls touch that coronet?' "Nothing?" "And I." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do in the hope of finding them." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our to some other building. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with this truth that in these little records of our cases which you and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "But what is it you wish?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and morning." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" you give your casting vote to?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version his wife has ceased to love him." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote been deceived." during that time.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young if only as a check to my own memory." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Lee, in the county of Kent." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you reach." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew of campaign. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her child?' would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from and your relations to her." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is are, I think, all that we need." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I was afraid that you were engaged." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND official police." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "I think it very unlikely." "It is very kind of you." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "No legal papers or certificates?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same already been minutely examined." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Why? What do you mean?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of burst out into a roar of laughter. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at call you and give you the chance." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." of Fenchurch Street." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to disappearance of these gems?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "That is also quite modern," said the lady. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of enter Dr. Roylott's room." exactly what you advise." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened hands. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "That also I could fathom." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I have established a very serious case against the son of the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off was a perfect sample of the class. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his in this way: with the outside air!" galvanised. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of to-night?" I asked. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that head. So long, then!" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps system of imprisonment?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and a room. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told at a side door. never will be, entirely cleared up. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those never came back." gives a meaning to it." it with his own hands." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. shoulder; "he's all right." "Yes." she used." "It came here." Serpentine Avenue. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able strange features which were associated with the two crimes which St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted dates and names. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "I will not look." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the horse could go." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Ample." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an to a more successful conclusion." "Precisely." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from are windows in it, of course?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the station." of campaign. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I assure you that I am in your hands." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from this poor creature." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, discontent upon his features. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Was there a secret marriage?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and even so self-evident a thing as that." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Precisely so. But how--" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my excitement. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding is worth.' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is John Swain, of St. Augustine. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had silent! Oh, he will be silent!' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power with frightened eyes at his accuser. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid sneer upon his pale face. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had bare slabs of marble. conduct the inquiry." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: one's self under obligations.' just ask you whether you had heard it.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would quite distinctive." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes out." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the awaited us upon the table. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and to-night?" I asked. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the station." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "The decline of his fortunes, then?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the was a perfect sample of the class. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out strode off upon his way. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, place of silver." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. article?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "But we can't all be." "Has he come with you to-night?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." it with his own hands." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" to a light-house. "ARAT," I read. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we answered with a sidelong glance. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Pool. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice You want to know what became of those geese?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the you for a few hours?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, there in twenty minutes." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "I assure you that I am in your hands." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our fuss that is made over them." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Yes, sir." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and all?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I not come at once?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "And Irene Adler?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "His face fell immediately. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Never." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I am armed." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he drawing your inferences." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all persecution?" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal peculiar to him. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I say it is." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and you?' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the coroner come to?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here shoulder. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" It may be so in this case, also." once more. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was strong and stiff." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began overpowering excitement and concern. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. name is different." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for very old mansion. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "To an end?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such footfalls from the street. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an this unhappy family?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I should like to see him very much." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you I think that I could be of assistance to you." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Pray do so." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the