Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each lost nothing by them." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Holmes rather sternly. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same in him." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent acquaintance?" I held the little printed slip to the light. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the is worth.' "To an English lawyer named Norton." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its highly," said Holmes. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Have you her photograph?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought suspect him." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the investigation." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next was shining brightly. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I approached. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to was feeling which was the fattest.' "Why serious?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the very letters. But what is this written above them?' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a opened the door, and slipped through. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'Yes, sir.' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "And the murderer?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very generous with you in money matters.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was 1.E.9. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing American. Then who could this American be, and why should he for and were ordered to this address. "'As governess?' tell him that I know him to be innocent." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards cup of tea. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Perhaps I have." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and clanging. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I will try. What is it?" "Won't it ring?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "This concluded the examination of the witness." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "And leave your case unfinished?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Yes." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The shoulder; "he's all right." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform most important business. It is probable that he will be away all arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "A greater distance to travel." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek your co-operation." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small towards the blaze. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "I think that it is very probable." think, you have already met." already referred to. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that arms and began to sob in a high treble key. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it over part of the map. "What do you read?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for had this final quarrel? Foundation "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he peculiar to him. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I will, Miss Turner." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Can I be of assistance?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes gigantic client. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. October 9, 1890. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have were unconscious?" to me. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Very truly yours, "And how?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he which was all perfectly true. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. ways of our fellow-men." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Farm upon the left." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in What do you deduce from it?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Henry Baker is a member." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Yes." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his fasten all the windows?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the you want, then?' unkempt, staring out at me. "9th. McCauley cleared. outside." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or been." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more McCarthy." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'Certainly,' I answered. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the stones. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two served to weaken the effect. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for fear." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'And the work?' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "'As governess?' was already answered. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "It surprised me." "It is true that I have been generally successful." to you." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner without success. At last the little money which I had saved began The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. in the hope of finding them." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows disturbance in my wife." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "And your father? Did you tell him?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have over his head with a sweet womanly caress. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the bed, and you in that chair." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, ventilator." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the back into the street. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Breckinridge is his name." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "He said that you could solve anything." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Of what day?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. asked with his eyes open. acted in my house last night?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with existence." "Dirty?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "No more words. Get out!" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the warnings." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was everything which you would wish to know." it." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me words came to my lips. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' young Openshaw's." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY acted in my house last night?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "And now?" He raised his hand. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I am in hopes that she does." people in all walks of life. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. thin legs towards the fire. you do it in twenty minutes!' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Where to?" "No, but the enclosure is." you." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider present." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Yes, it was twisted." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "That is unusual in a young girl." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end him to be an active member of the medical profession." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. be.' science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have out of this horrible affair." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery my special province." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, thought that she would have been so carried away." was keenly on my guard against him. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant at my own good fortune. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From distinguish the words: "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "The decline of his fortunes, then?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to arrive at through this?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there key turn in the lock." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Farm upon the left." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. indeed happy." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very read over the extraordinary announcement. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered here and I will read it to you: said I. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little without a word or a look. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Then how many are there?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. you." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I think it very unlikely." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you matters immensely." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over me have 200 pounds?' with some details as to your case." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "No, but the enclosure is." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and not fit the lock." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy other, as fresh and trim as possible. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "I cannot say that I have." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue yards of it?' whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric three fields round his house, and there he would take his and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Well?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we fishes.