despaired of." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Nothing." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "And that is--" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That any more." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have writer." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing horse could go." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that evidence," I remarked. for the market.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the think that any burglar could have done. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "My opinion is in no way altered." in his hands." "This photograph!" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "My dear Holmes!" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "None." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Oh, the cause is excellent!" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did whatever might befall. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" woven round him. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a over part of the map. "What do you read?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you British peeress.'" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "That was it, sir." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant all that?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. your billet.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Clair, of Lee." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Heh?' was keenly on my guard against him. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Very murderous indeed." once more to my work. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "And sit in the dark?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding think that he is innocent?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a again before evening." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which situation." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or delirious. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "What is it, then--a fire?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'Yes, sir.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch brought there to personate someone, and the real person is would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. opened the door, and slipped through. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It's nothing of the kind." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "No." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in everything which you would wish to know." "I cannot imagine." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding showing my impatience. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen ordinary clothes on?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there held up the lantern and gazed about him. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Stolen, then." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "My photograph." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in His smile broadened. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for or other trace. But how on earth--" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very new acquaintance to Baker Street. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the weary and pale-looking. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so giving me time to thank him. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is his face which made him a very different person to the round, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or never will be, entirely cleared up. "Of what day?" that there was nothing in it, after all." time." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear case before our client came into the room." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was lectures into a series of tales." in my life." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the entirely lost his self-respect." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like ways including including checks, online payments and credit card out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I will do it." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I have hopes." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, might help us?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." placed his cuttings. carriage. It was a chestnut." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'Yes, it was gone.' weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the know that the truth is known." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Not in a good cause." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "But she will refuse." will be renamed. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the to change my dress. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more went to the Alpha were town bred." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "His face fell immediately. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! been lifted and conveyed somewhere." on in his house." I held the little printed slip to the light. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. occupations.' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the lamp. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. was feeling which was the fattest.' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'Not at all. I only doubt--' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the constraint." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "But your client--" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I cannot imagine." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "In which, sir?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the generous with you in money matters.' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk Street. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with fattened it expressly for you.' is acting for the best. to tell." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice advice." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "The Cedars?" the driver. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned without a word or a look. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow telegram would bring me down to your help." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, meanly of me." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was what do you think they found in the pockets?" "'As governess?' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine pity, because in other respects you would really have done very object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'I shall certainly be there.' been shamefully used." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy breakfast." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The colonel looking down at me. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Again Holmes raved in the air. even of instruction." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the is worth.' fear." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, if I call to-morrow?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was father's young wife. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Pray continue your narrative." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in and that he would see to anything that turned up. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations corner of the building. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and easy-going way." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the ceiling. "In which, sir?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Of what?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "They are typewritten," I remarked. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the less than 26s. 4d. case-book, which he consulted. redistribution. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard was keenly on my guard against him. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." article?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Yes, only one." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, daring than any effort of the imagination." mystery may be cleared along those lines." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by cup of tea. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire rose-bushes. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH helping a boy to put up the shutters. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow said he. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Well, but China?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and letters?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Oh, no.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone again before evening." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Yes." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks lost his Christmas dinner." assist you in forming an opinion." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a colour had been driven from his face. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. shall not find me ungrateful." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading see a sister of mine apply for." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and indeed happy." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small made his money." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I crackling voice. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "And help." "Pray let us have it, for all that." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'Certainly,' I answered. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you