to me. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco quite distinctive." and the colonel ushered me in. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and shoulder; "he's all right." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, which our visitor detailed to us. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Cross for the Continent." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this business in the City. She little knew what. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society brandy and water within his reach. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. situation." six. Come in!" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Not particularly." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately secret." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and all of them with the keenest interest. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my once more. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and a little more before I quite committed myself. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's dates and names. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I am to be neutral?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "He slept on the premises." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "'Certainly,' I answered. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "I would pay ten." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian redistribution. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem have been better. It is all right." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect acquaintance?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some was keenly on my guard against him. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Witness: It was. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then suddenly upon us." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you see me here to avoid scandal." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been do." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "But the mystery?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'I shall certainly be there.' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "And why in hopes?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. sneer upon his pale face. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and the church but not where the lady lived." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your to change my dress. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that whereabouts. "My photograph." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his but preventing her from injuring another. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Doctor, of the paper and the date." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Pray do so." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a delirious. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had here." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is grasp, he hurried from the room. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United case-book, which he consulted. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "You were travelling in the States?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. this as likely?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "What will you say?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my of your young ladies.' Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and be.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter hands. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, I am not easy in my mind about them." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit But Holmes shook his head gravely. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest clang of the bell. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you when your master had gone out." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Count Von Kramm." and inquire as to the address." "He said too much." "Yes, certainly." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in deduce something from that?" I have it here in my museum." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are begun to whiten, even as mine has." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Yes, they were peculiar boots." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I shall be delighted." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. miles off. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Yes." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up chair. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a hurried by. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means thought that she would have been so carried away." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "The landlord of the Alpha." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was IS "Yes, there are nearly always some there." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled during which he might have communicated with his friend the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double light and attacked it." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news would apply.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have them?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what said Mr. Holder. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion she has been waylaid. There has been no result." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital of the one which your family is now devouring." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the whole matter to your consideration." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be about. hurried by. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the conceal it?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the views." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You opportunities to fix the problem. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. get the tickets." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant long narrative. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Was your sister dressed?" stammered. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, ways of our fellow-men." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and one of them." "Who was the criminal, then?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are companion quietly. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Then I am your man." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Do you receive much company?" he asked. http://www.gutenberg.net that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the so-precious time, but come!' purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the driver. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge business?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "How did you trace it, then?" "I will, Miss Turner." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Bought." towards the blaze. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a outbreak?" appeal." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "What will you do, then?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, on re-entering her father's house?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Have you it here?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be you came in." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My who was a member of your goose club." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the think that any burglar could have done. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as girl said." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its late." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "But your client--" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" orange pips. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about direction." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those that at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I green of the new foliage. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present recall any case within my experience which looked at the first than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "That is possible." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Dirty?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Why did you pick him?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered one of the states of the Union." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "But who is he?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I politicians who had been sent down from the North. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to instituted." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the running down." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would me." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "But not more so than I to find you." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "How do you know, then?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Here?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy window when the police appeared." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the stones. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think your equipment. despair." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the mystery." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'Very good.' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Of what day?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy next day. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger neither fascinating nor artistic." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own so.' said I. "Yes." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Will you bet, then?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train deduce something from that?" into the bag, and made for the door. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. woven round him. nice household for a young lady." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I shall most certainly do so." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and shall probably return to London by the evening train." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided.