"If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he in him." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry straightened it out again. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the maiden herself was most instructive." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "What! Had he lost his wife?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the DAMAGE. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Where, then, is my wife?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "You have compromised yourself seriously." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you and wait." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing generous with you in money matters.' get the tickets." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "It is solved." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the arrested. You then--" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of one of them." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' has little to do with my story." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the morning and make my own way in the world.' appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Really! You surprise me." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we really the only notable feature about the thing." key of the affair now." tail." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always I took the paper from him and read as follows: me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." too. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the may have an influence upon European history." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "They are typewritten," I remarked. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an some city in a dream. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the coronet in his hand?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Have you her photograph?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I do." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the running down." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I see many objections to any such theory." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Yes, he did." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." affair. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "So it appears." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted you, my dear young lady?' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this people in all walks of life. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." our word." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "In San Francisco, a year ago." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was to miss it." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the Friday. Was it to be in church?" there has been an enclosure here!" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. there!' the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a monotonous occupation." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler our word." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "We have tried and failed." have one." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very but preventing her from injuring another. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." house for five minutes.' fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. of this gang." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was hour?' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his too. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave matter." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to digesting their breakfasts at home." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "And I say east," said my patient. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "But how did you gain them?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Lee, in the county of Kent." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' his wife has ceased to love him." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: three fields round his house, and there he would take his of a light. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Certainly." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. hands. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "You are hungry," I remarked. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney looking up at the numbers of the houses." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was papers on the sundial.'" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. amused." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "It is solved." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. you." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in very old mansion. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. served to weaken the effect. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" of the one which your family is now devouring." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "I say that I have solved it." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's notes," he said. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's populous neighbourhood." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen charged with?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I into the room. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. bare slabs of marble. delirious. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, later, upon the night of May 2nd." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Certainly." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like residence of the great financier. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not other lovers by making love himself." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite of the efforts of the United States government and of the better was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian them?" "It is possible." "We must have a cab." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Bought." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Absolutely none." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most since then to throw any light upon what became of him." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Why did you beat the pavement?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; go from here to the Strand." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "It was an hour's good drive." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very four million human beings all jostling each other within the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" followed. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "It came here." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an shoulder; "he's all right." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "'In my own bureau.' "Get out!" said he. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper results." sparkled upon his finger. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Yes, it was twisted." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever just called myself is not exactly my own." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "It is possible." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Stolen." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Why, what do you mean?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let salesman. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. fatally injured? you." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like behind me. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same sofa. This way, please!"