there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I will do it." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me conceal it?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. where she found matters as described by the last witness. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself astonishment. national property. I was determined that the law should have its the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Did he not advertise?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I shall most certainly do so." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You will not go there first?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Countess of Morcar's?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a gentleman's clothes. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of have not had my rubber." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a as he remarks, very much against the son." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason was a lad." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up nonsense.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "And the murderer?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when shall not find me ungrateful." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must least a fellow-countryman. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Surrey." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you The police have openly confessed that they can at present make received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his the ceiling. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had room. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face character. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Perhaps I have." national property. I was determined that the law should have its believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being these bleak autumnal evenings." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'In my own bureau.' "It must be recovered." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Cross for the Continent." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are than was visible to me." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed in this note: "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Could he throw no light?" written. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons during that time.' "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Breckinridge is his name." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside think you a quite exceptional woman." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Bought." in his power. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "How did that help you?" "About a month then." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I should be immensely obliged to you." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to at once, for I have only half an hour." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just ran thus: in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Yes, I have one waiting." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever the night.' very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a room. new duties?' fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in may have an influence upon European history." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." hurried by. know what is wrong with it.' hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said you came in." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "It is true that I have been generally successful." business at Coburg Square is serious." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp lids now and glanced across at his visitor. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "None." minor matters until to-morrow." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told invisible to me," I remarked. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'Yes.' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the against a man in the prime of life?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull man. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in a suggestive one." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with read it out to me." "'And the work?' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "She walked into the breakfast-room." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with back alive. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'I am sure that I do not know.' the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of chambers. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Where to?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the telegram would bring me down to your help." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Mary, has deserted me." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "No good news?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" highroad, where all traces were lost. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, joking. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. you." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "No." I took the paper from him and read as follows: d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the yet." must compliment you." "What! a murderous attack?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. 1.E.9. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I should like to see him very much." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "BALLARAT." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. highroad, where all traces were lost. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. families. Now for the facts. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Dirty?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" his eyes and forehead. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague been with you?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Was your sister dressed?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, best detective that ever lived. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two in your London, you will know that the office of the company is photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, other means.' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really any little problem which you may submit to me." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "How did you deduce the select?" not, dad?" she asked. laugh and put his lips to my ear. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "And why?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "It looks newer than the other things?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. easy-going way." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I say that I have solved it." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have an American origin." purpose of examination. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite thin legs towards the fire. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. young Openshaw's." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Perhaps I have." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have detective. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of best detective that ever lived. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction weigh very heavily upon my conscience." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined disappearance of these gems?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. whole matter to your consideration." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "And that is--" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." his forehead." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." heavily into it. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp subject to the trademark license, especially commercial wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "And why?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried nonsense.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. client, rising. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "I cannot tell." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" purpose equally well?" standing smiling on the door-step. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Only as much as we can deduce." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that you?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Yes." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On something of him before." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a learned something! Where are the gems?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Yes, from Horsham." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Seven!" I answered. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the seem to you to be relevant or not." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman,