the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Only as much as we can deduce." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two her also." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Ah, but I was recommended to you." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Did he not advertise?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Frequently." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: words came to my lips. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock of the vacancies.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the His name is Francis Prosper." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Won't it ring?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill that there was nothing in it, after all." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light several quiet little villages up there." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes, all." when your master had gone out." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Yes.' Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid tied." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then matters immensely." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "That also I could fathom." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "We must have a cab." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, call you and give you the chance." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy at once, for I have only half an hour." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and have this put in the evening papers." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Murdered?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so you understand?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or politicians who had been sent down from the North. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California way: Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. will take you up to see the machine.' "Yes." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the was shining brightly. more terrible than the truth. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a will not take me long to tell. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which beyond words. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "I will not look." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Certainly." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "An enemy?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Seven!" I answered. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and I shall be with you presently." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it main points of my analysis." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." seem to you to be relevant or not." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Dr. Becher's." you." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and files of the old papers, following the future career of every nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa she used." once more. "None. Neville wrote those words." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you do you make of it all?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. quickly through a disagreeable task. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular this poor creature." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are do.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he in his power. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such upon a handsome competence. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the province." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Where does the thing come from?' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past sake, don't!" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin tapping his fingers upon the table. money should be paid at once.' "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that rat could hardly pass through." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was have one." without a word or a look. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was few hundred pounds.' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so your only hope of safety." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the quite distinctive." electronic works "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever perplexity from it to my illustrious client. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this me. chance at all." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent closing the door. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and entirely lost his self-respect." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's where she found matters as described by the last witness. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Yes, I have one waiting." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Have you it here?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, unprecedented a position." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Yes, I promise.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy directors have had misgivings upon the subject." about here speaks of his kindness to him." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever made his money." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Why, it's a dummy," said he. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf would apply.' deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a as he remarks, very much against the son." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot down in his armchair and closing his eyes. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses people don't know." III. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't past. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I must be when I saw the door open.' hardly wander." "No more words. Get out!" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. out." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the wall." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a head. So long, then!" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'Yes, I promise.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight discontent upon his features. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting have an American origin." mystery may be cleared along those lines." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to with the outside air!" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Eyford." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "And how did you verify them?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high During two years I have had three consultations and one small and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" This is what he says: "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "What?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than may never be exposed to such a temptation." gone. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw place of silver." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been in him." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, with her." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the his knees, staring into the fire. possible that we could bring him back to her? Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope showing my impatience. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in maiden herself was most instructive." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good friend's singular character. "One of his hands." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Then what has happened to him?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my himself to hunt down. seen the man in the road." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner foot. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of highly," said Holmes. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the was a lad." he bowed and left the room without another word. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the nursery. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, appointment with me for six o'clock?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still back to my heart. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "No, distinctly professional." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for go from here to the Strand." these bleak autumnal evenings." were unconscious?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging figure." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I answered that I had not. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. plantation.' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Doctor, of the paper and the date." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I gigantic client. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Is 4 pounds a week.' had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. against a man in the prime of life?" "Then he might have called to you?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was mystery!"