stammered. "Texas, I think." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of on re-entering her father's house?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, done what I asked you, Jones?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez invisible to me," I remarked. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, she used." "How are you getting on?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." to tackle the facts." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in she to prove their authenticity?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: acquaintance?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, is four-and-twenty." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a do you make of it all?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any used to be." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "In what way?" asked Holmes. returned to France?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It depend upon your compliance." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a address. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his see a sister of mine apply for." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of the one which your family is now devouring." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this how narrow had been my escape. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" window when the police appeared." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the read over the extraordinary announcement. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy occurred." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your fire. You quite follow me?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose are, I think, all that we need." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered to surprise her." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I approached. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, bled considerably." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing side. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out that threaten you." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which hour?' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, your co-operation." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" views." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work or other trace. But how on earth--" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Very truly yours, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very have one." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "None." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of begun to whiten, even as mine has." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum indeed happy." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "You don't mind breaking the law?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'Stolen!' he cried. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and laid it on the table. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. go back?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a nothing with him." Miss Holder?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" DAMAGE. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the only touch the interest." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Not in the least." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. village inn over there?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed you in your example." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. friend's singular character. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to main points of my analysis." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," companion quietly. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the was a perfect sample of the class. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a politicians who had been sent down from the North. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Have you it here?" "None. Neville wrote those words." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Leadenhall Street--and--" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If which are rolled in Rotterdam." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to question. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white During two years I have had three consultations and one small his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all question you as to those details which seem to me to be most alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east should be so warm over such a trifle." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I details should find their way into the papers. Inspector examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was was a perfect sample of the class. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, know what is wrong with it.' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Tired-looking or fresh?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair bearing upon the case." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "No bad?" tapping his fingers upon the table. my special province." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found vault. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," tail." of." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Yes, the wine-cellar." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I himself in a perplexing position. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had acquaintance?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at success. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "The King of Scandinavia." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "How about poison?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the room while you explain this matter?" feature." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, case before our client came into the room." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the room while you explain this matter?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done to change my dress. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is intrusion of other matters." fattened it expressly for you.' machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of which our visitor detailed to us. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but past. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Watson," he said cordially. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question have got?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was night.' said he. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in your bag." rat could hardly pass through." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End fled together." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Were they all fastened this morning?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I shall most certainly do so." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Munro.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney tassel actually lying upon the pillow. a suggestive one." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined disappearance of these gems?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Mrs. Toller serenely. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that of a light. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled know all about it," he snarled. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "What can it mean?" I gasped. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "I fear not." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, at home. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for