"I am armed." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the dangers which encompass me." long narrative. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have lectures into a series of tales." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with down. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, before the coroner and the police-court." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." with you alone." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a father's young wife. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a narrative." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose walking." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the copied or distributed: six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Surrey." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Get out!" said he. green of the new foliage. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too happened." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting security.' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Imitated." "'Yes, it was gone.' roused himself from his reverie. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "An accident, I presume?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Here?" good for you to do.' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. your equipment. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." have had none more fantastic than this." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "But she could not love him." feature." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would key of the affair now." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then vanished into the darkness. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, think that he is innocent?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of with some details as to your case." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling goes." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and papers on the sundial.'" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "No, I think that I'll take it." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son noting anything else of interest. "Could he throw no light?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. in his hands." of your young ladies.' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "No bad?" "Then what has happened to him?" breakfast." "This concluded the examination of the witness." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of was not a bird to be seen there. "Not him." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at or other trace. But how on earth--" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You had formerly been in part my own. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I may have an influence upon European history." "You have a clue?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Why? What do you mean?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and against a man in the prime of life?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I best detective that ever lived. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" showing my impatience. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Witness: Nothing definite. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There certainly do as you advise." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing despair." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Mary, has deserted me." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not amused." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." bearing upon the case." have not had my rubber." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. writers could invent nothing more crude." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked of receipt of the work. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." come either from the window or the door. My attention was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. few hundred pounds.' I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Sutherland. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the despair." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four do." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right detective. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You saw the ventilator, too?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and I have it here in my museum." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Yes." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "You horrify me." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after is a common subject for conversation. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving this man was intellectual?" electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is entirely devoid of interest." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution fire. You quite follow me?" "Yes." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Nothing." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Yes. He waved his hands." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and in darkness. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this danger is over." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for him nearly every evening." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should compunction about shooting them down." coroner's jury." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their garden below. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in call you and give you the chance." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? congenial hunt. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Holmes' room. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to awaited us upon the table. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter a very grave face. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his trying to your nerves." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" your Highness to the police-station?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive hour." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that was a lad." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "My dear Holmes!" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "In heaven's name, what for?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "But your client--" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he gone. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Never." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Which dealer's?' when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the cigar and let me expound." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will read over the extraordinary announcement. "And from a noble client?" shoulder; "he's all right." "I shall be delighted." as noiselessly as she had come. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come awaited us upon the table. "You think so, too?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. anything to do with the matter?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Thank you. And your address?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can place no limit on the sum I may draw." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off other lovers by making love himself." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was way: possible that we could bring him back to her? obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the to affect your life." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. that?' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his mystery may be cleared along those lines." and I shall be with you presently." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Proceed, then." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" danger is over." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "There are none." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "You have but to name it." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the again before evening." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he never came back." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND III. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his upon the white wrist. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Then, as to money?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at purpose of examination. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and II. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I have a cab outside." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "It looks newer than the other things?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "If so, much may have happened between." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned generous with you in money matters.' stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the You want to know what became of those geese?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed point in the dark hollow of his hand. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Could he throw no light?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his about. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without British peeress.'" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "And how did he make his money?" the little opening for the ventilator is." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "She told me to ask you." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I shall be delighted." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before