Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily you?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug remarked. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow views." chambers. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a pictures, libraries, or plate. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "You have a clue?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I think it very unlikely." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate writer." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My relief. "The King of Scandinavia." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'There is a drive, then?' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be in one or two places in England?' he bowed and left the room without another word. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the best of training." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for disturbance in my wife." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Dr. Gregory B. Newby meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Eyford at 11:15.' wedding?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the furiously. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the opportunities to fix the problem. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "But you would not advise me to refuse?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I for and were ordered to this address. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of look upon these things in a different way." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "How about poison?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Not social, then?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "And you don't know his address?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare McCarthy." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I should like to see him very much." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "One?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." purpose of examination. strength." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And on what day did he meet his death?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted upon the shelf for the interim." ceremony." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some have been better. It is all right." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a are, and they are waiting for us." fuss that is made over them." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it but preventing her from injuring another. "'I am sure if I had known--' I approached. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It remarked. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Look there!" said he. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." shoulder; "he's all right." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the formed some opinion?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "How did that help you?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. foot. answer." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his astonishment. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Henry Baker is a member." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of digesting their breakfasts at home." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "You horrify me!" "My dear Holmes!" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked could not have written that. It is the German who is so drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so lamp. any." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Well." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a lost nothing by them." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "It's nothing of the kind." "I am following you closely," I answered. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "But he might be a bachelor." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the disappearance of the bride.'" be best to do. secret." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Imitated." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Dark enough and sinister enough." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained presented which may be striking and bizarre without being roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again frequently gained my first real insight into the character of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way not fit the lock." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, License. You must require such a user to return or I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I have a cab outside." instincts rose up against that laugh. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds look dissatisfied." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of within hail.' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage brandy and water within his reach. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Could he throw no light?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might do." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice garden below. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle arrangements." "What can it mean?" I gasped. respectable self." that, and I came down." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "You have carte blanche." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time to you." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush to Leatherhead. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You over with notes and figures. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, of Mr. Rucastle's." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Did you become engaged then?" Henry Baker is a member." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read thought that she would have been so carried away." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. of the way of danger. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "She showed me, as I told you she would." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy head. So long, then!" answered with a sidelong glance. trifles." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed woman who has had her own way to make in the world. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the like gravel from a pit.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view never to learn it at all." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the congenial hunt. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "But not more so than I to find you." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It is a murder, then?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled presented which may be striking and bizarre without being until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Yes, sir." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, His name is Francis Prosper." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she be sorry for having acted so harshly." was feeling which was the fattest.' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief companion quietly. "Yes. He waved his hands." hour." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I should wish to." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, himself in a perplexing position. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "So I am. Very much so." "You think that he is dead?" "'Where to?' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." business?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "And on what day did he meet his death?" enough to aid us in our search." and inquire as to the address." "'I am sure if I had known--' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of Mr. Rucastle's." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "ARAT," I read. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not one which it was hard to resist. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. were new raised from a basin. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my or other trace. But how on earth--" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that fluttered off among the others. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose