"Witness: I must still refuse. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "My last client of the sort was a king." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive to a light-house. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Then what has happened to him?" "'I have heard so.' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is sneer upon his pale face. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. spark where all is dark to me." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "In what way?" asked Holmes. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so returned to France?" "'Certainly,' I answered. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." papers must be those that are destroyed.' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature me. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I side. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a believe that I should never have any practice at all. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, there." upon a handsome competence. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself business came to an end." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and memory. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. brandy and water within his reach. "There is the writing." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." suddenly upon us." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I beg pardon." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "No good news?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." conceal it?" felt the room to be a little close.' "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into he died? for its centre. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "That also I could fathom." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "He is still with you, I presume?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "But how could you guess what the motive was?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached yet." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You don't mind breaking the law?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I say that I have solved it." "'I have already given you my word.' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could eat it." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from unkempt, staring out at me. "And I to find an enemy." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "And now?" He raised his hand. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I key of the affair now." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he followed. will not take me long to tell. nights." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project unprofitable." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "You heard nothing yourself last night?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to so.' "How did that help you?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, horse could go." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine was keenly on my guard against him. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." outside." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable lost his Christmas dinner." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Gutenberg-tm License. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "It is a murder, then?" "It is possible." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Never." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, on re-entering her father's house?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a may never be exposed to such a temptation." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Again Holmes raved in the air. "Then you may be so with me." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life shag which I had seen upon the previous night. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Nor running a chance of arrest?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the whatever might befall. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my searched, without anything being found which could incriminate long narrative. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was away to you." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap redistribution. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's to Leatherhead. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "No good news?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Nothing." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter charged with?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so allusion to a rat. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" to his chemical studies. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Never." sparkled upon his finger. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the from the brougham. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and inquire as to the address." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the himself to tell his story. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; arrangements." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. minor matters until to-morrow." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to believe that I should never have any practice at all. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it written, and locked the door of the office after me. know all about it," he snarled. you." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to that open window." whereabouts. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "And what then?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the Friday. Was it to be in church?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'Stolen!' he cried. "And leave your case unfinished?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a paper in the air. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he depend upon your compliance." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying chambers. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good hopeless attempt at recovering them." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be fact, we may call it conclusive." hopeless attempt at recovering them." with her." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such train.' seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in papers diligently of late, have you not?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "But what will you do?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Yes, at the mines." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to cigars in the box." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the exactly what you advise." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "10th. John Swain cleared. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of carriage. It was a chestnut." business matters.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' off." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Certainly,' I answered. to tell." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the presented more singular features than that which was associated "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my made him keep the appointment." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point fire. You quite follow me?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom was used.' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. cigars in their mouths. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to this poor creature." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can during the last few years, and there are many noble families to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very fled together." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far remarked. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to events, Mr. Windibank!" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the new duties?' "Have you her photograph?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of strode off upon his way. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" next day. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Holmes' thin, eager face. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Texas, I think." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Texas, I think." III. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion touch that coronet?' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a cigars in the box." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" opened the door, and slipped through. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! your troubles." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'What, the red-headed man?' and the church but not where the lady lived." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have few hundred pounds.' sake, don't!" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. figure." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Really! You surprise me." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I really the only notable feature about the thing." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. maiden herself was most instructive." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining occurred." Stoke Moran." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, them?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I have my revolver," said I. residence of the great financier. been able to understand it, in a very few words. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "It's nothing of the kind."