which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a existence." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Yes." "What is it?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent as the one I chose?' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the coronet at all injured?" "It is his hat." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with again on its way. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to said I. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go business at Coburg Square is serious." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "That also I could fathom." been." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "No?" with the outside air!" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Oh, fresh and glossy." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and in him." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your never to learn it at all." key of the affair now." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "But how?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. way in everything. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "But his lameness?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the side-table." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and remarked. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for quickly through a disagreeable task. about here speaks of his kindness to him." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words garden below. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I hand, madam?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "That's no good." your room." "And how did you find out?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'Never,' said I. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. whether it answered to the description of any of their "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of strength in the others." "'I am sure if I had known--' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. to-night." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the has little to do with my story." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "And why in hopes?" as the one I chose?' "Why, what do you mean?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the dangers which encompass me." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'What then?' I asked. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a read it out to me." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." shoulder; "he's all right." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, other lovers by making love himself." newspaper selections." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to What do you deduce from it?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted in my life." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming hour." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the them, and came down just as you departed. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" in darkness. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this them?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away enter Dr. Roylott's room." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white was keenly on my guard against him. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "'Why that?' I asks. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the coroner come to?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. them present such singular features as the strange train of even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "My stepfather's business papers." the station." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Of what day?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just leave you to your papers for a little." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Really! You surprise me." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the stalked out of the room. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as information in his hands the value of which he did not himself another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite sufficient punishment." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I don't believe it." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Henry Baker is a member." "How did you trace it, then?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of success. "And I to find an enemy." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Oh, the cause is excellent!" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was The note was undated, and without either signature or address. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND of your young ladies.' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy companion. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of some water from a caraffe. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such anything to do with the matter?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was geese which you supplied to the Alpha." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met answered with a sidelong glance. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations call you and give you the chance." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" be.' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you pound a week." burst out into a roar of laughter. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. chambers. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or along the entire front of the house, with three long windows ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Oh, yes, easily." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some if she died from some sudden fright." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "But he might be a bachelor." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, not come at once?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there fasten all the windows?" the general public were present, then?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "But what will you do?" this poor creature." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." what these perils are?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project even of instruction." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had coat-tails." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and appeared upon the scene." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he system of imprisonment?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was here and I will read it to you: "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger http://www.gutenberg.net stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." round and wave him away like that.' face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making leave you to your papers for a little." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be main points of my analysis." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared vault. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian bird I ate is country bred." wall." Lee, in the county of Kent." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Oh, yes, easily." you came in." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that seen the man in the road." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Eh? What was that?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any daring than any effort of the imagination." sooner or later she must fall a victim. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his think that he is innocent?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you system of imprisonment?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Was your sister dressed?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has locked." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "You heard nothing yourself last night?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the away to you." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to paper in the air. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "'I am sure if I had known--' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'I have already given you my word.' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as who was a member of your goose club." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "On Monday." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the station." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I am following you closely," I answered. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Not him." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are point our research must commence, and we will begin it by down. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "You have a clue?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss one else, I think." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square breakfast and whispered something to her husband. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." was lame." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue fishes. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Then, how do you know?" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered corner of the building. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Dark enough and sinister enough." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, tail." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the room while you explain this matter?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Is he quiet?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a manager. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, noble correspondent could be. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of more solid." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, if only as a check to my own memory." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Not him." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "In San Francisco, a year ago." been deceived." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the figure." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and