dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really questionable one." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common back into the street. "I cannot imagine." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." heavily into it. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, leave you to your papers for a little." awkward doing business with an alias." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner that the gas is not laid on in his house?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "None." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not ran thus: having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Entirely." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did begun to whiten, even as mine has." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Have you her photograph?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the warnings." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" exactly what you advise." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening drawing your inferences." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it there is a decided draught." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Yes, sir." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "You don't mind breaking the law?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. not as remarkable as your advertisement." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before are, I think, all that we need." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." chamber." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Yes, sir." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "None." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, laugh and put his lips to my ear. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Is he quiet?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "But what is it you wish?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." matter." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Nor running a chance of arrest?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for main points of my analysis." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I was sure that I might rely on you." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "What then?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on train.' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which him to go away.' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "He is dead," cried several voices. little adventures." "Who was the criminal, then?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway seven miles from Eyford Station.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid existence." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'What are you doing there?' he asked. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which you." thought that she would have been so carried away." enter into my head. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'I am sure if I had known--' plantation.' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that in my life." "It is possible." asked with his eyes open. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the south-west, I see." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, electronic works heavy and sharp instrument." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate about here speaks of his kindness to him." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "What I expected to see." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Eh? What was that?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for stood on the top of it. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "I promise," said Holmes. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A ways of our fellow-men." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of the way of danger. What do you deduce from it?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be throat." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the at my remark. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Yes, they were peculiar boots." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I do." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in had picked up in the wood. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the very morning of the wedding." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' think, you have already met." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yes, it would be as well." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "You are certainly joking, Holmes." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up tension within him. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I think that it is very probable." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true my little problems." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. some city in a dream. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an gentleman's clothes. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Yes." results." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." interests were the same as his." "It surprised me." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Leadenhall Street--and--" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I key of the affair now." towards the blaze. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another as he remarks, very much against the son." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Yesterday." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as from you?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the one as in the other." note?" highly," said Holmes. read over the extraordinary announcement. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had over with notes and figures. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your his cane at the bell-pull. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." developed." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Eyford." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you shall not find me ungrateful." that he has suffered." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "He said too much." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. disappearance of the bride.'" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a note?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate hereditary King of Bohemia." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "When did it break out?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! conduct the inquiry." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Very. But will he see it?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, London for the present?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the running down." before the coroner and the police-court." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "'A dozen yards or so.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly asked. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel a little more before I quite committed myself. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have be best to do. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the best of training." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "In heaven's name, what for?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again and that he would see to anything that turned up. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it infinite languor in his face. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no have not had my rubber." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales your equipment. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have down. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who during which he might have communicated with his friend the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a crime." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned you?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door important." breakfast." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "No." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which standing smiling on the door-step. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons society." morning." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "It surprised me." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With time." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "But she could not love him." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and friends, not even his own brother. "I should wish to." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is criminal. We have already had experience of such." a suggestive one." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and all of them with the keenest interest. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "What can it mean?" I gasped. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "This photograph!" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a lumber-room." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of see me here to avoid scandal." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "In answer to an advertisement." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble shag which I had seen upon the previous night. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets society." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it