man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger investigation." "Pray let us have it, for all that." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "No, my brougham is waiting." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with other, as fresh and trim as possible. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was all that?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "No good news?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and shall probably return to London by the evening train." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature not come at once?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white families. Now for the facts. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very him." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year way: Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the bedroom door." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; redistribution. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He shadow pass over his face as I spoke. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "The murder was done with it." "Do you know him?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do examine." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters four million human beings all jostling each other within the to-night?' to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had my former friend and companion. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the shoulder. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he since then to throw any light upon what became of him." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has tear off another piece?' developed." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "It goes to the housekeeper's room." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Married! When?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and not within a twentieth part of the market price." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the to a more successful conclusion." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred would apply.' English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Where to?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "And I say east," said my patient. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "No good news?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client to a more successful conclusion." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were useful material for showing traces. The double line a little prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "But it has twice been burgled." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that you." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "But what will you do?" in a very precise fashion." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I confronted him. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Holmes' face clouded over. distinguish the words: her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "The decline of his fortunes, then?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Project Gutenberg-tm works. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND like gravel from a pit.' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I shall be delighted." "Really! You surprise me." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all papers diligently of late, have you not?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' charged with?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my a monotonous occupation." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "And you thought he was pulled back?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" meant." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in signal between you and your father? of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Thank you. And your address?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Yes." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Your French gold?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all test if we have an answer to our advertisement." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "And now?" He raised his hand. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the presented more singular features than that which was associated your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small cup of tea. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Stoke Moran." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "One?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I am to be neutral?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your quick march!" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Have you good authority for what you say?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the bottom.' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "In heaven's name, what for?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Yes." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, speckled band?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Then how many are there?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by prisoner's face. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so detective. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary lids now and glanced across at his visitor. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I handed it to him. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that point in the dark hollow of his hand. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon lips." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long problems help me to do so." "No, I had a dozen." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'Quite sure, dad.' came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly whereabouts. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. carried out of court." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious call for protection in the marriage market, for the present for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly fact, we may call it conclusive." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Then how many are there?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "And Irene Adler?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after dear old homesteads?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Quite so. She has her freedom." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "The vanishing of the lady." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper bedroom door." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down so far?" Literary Archive Foundation have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "How many? I don't know." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, fashion which was peculiar to him. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during girl said." front of me. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked it." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass seem to you to be relevant or not." "'Never.' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest is worth.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one congenial hunt. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "No, distinctly professional." "It is possible." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Nothing." had formerly been in part my own. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him never to learn it at all." carriage. It was a chestnut." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for approach us with offers to donate. photograph?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her one which it was hard to resist. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Holmes, the busybody!" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "We must sit without light. He would see it through the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were papers on the sundial.'" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." said I. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of think that any burglar could have done. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "In the cells." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." already been minutely examined." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Then what has happened to him?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible over with notes and figures. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, might help us?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had less than 26s. 4d. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I see no marks." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton redistribution. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "In what way?" asked Holmes. pictures, libraries, or plate. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, power." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Yes. He waved his hands." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody south, for the country is more deserted there." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Serpentine Avenue. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And