deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name closing the door. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Holmes. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, them?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low entirely lost his self-respect." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "But he might be a bachelor." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "This concluded the examination of the witness." prepare for the new role I have to play." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons ways of our fellow-men." "And did you observe any change in her then?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'Never,' said I. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "And why in hopes?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "No. What a strange idea!" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a his knees, staring into the fire. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Why? What do you mean?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the running down." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much even so self-evident a thing as that." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "One of the highest in England." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "But how could you guess what the motive was?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. flock.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange sooner or later she must fall a victim. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to leaning back in his chair. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with felt?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the whereabouts. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that shoulder. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "My photograph." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes redistribution. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the gigantic client. "And who is her maid?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss definite end. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery your Highness to the police-station?" "By all means." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill visitors." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, My friend smiled. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and a very grave face. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said your equipment. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this hour." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. foresight and the moral retrogression?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has enough to aid us in our search." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I I held the little printed slip to the light. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "About a month then." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "And the murderer?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in point in the dark hollow of his hand. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband should be so warm over such a trifle." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Witness: It was. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately nothing of it?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will absolutely follow my advice in every respect." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." disturbance in my wife." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "What office?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying I. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Has he come with you to-night?" short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of read it out to me." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Nothing?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "What is it?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "His face fell immediately. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Precisely." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began outside." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Did you observe the colour?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "It is very kind of you." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and quick march!" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, all that?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "In the cells." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know any little problem which you may submit to me." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'I shall certainly be there.' "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I have a cab outside." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down back to my heart. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to them?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "You know me, then?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the coronet in his hands?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. will be renamed. Watson," he said cordially. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a be. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change bird of prey. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: shoulder; "he's all right." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet for and were ordered to this address. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Look there!" said he. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "No good news?" "Yes." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to once more to my work. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, shall use the carriage to-night." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with you." "Stolen, then." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his she used." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." felt?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear formed some opinion?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same infinite languor in his face. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Witness: It was. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, coat-tails." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "None." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and you give your casting vote to?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "None." "Certainly." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "I am armed." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, feature." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "But she could not love him." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies only touch the interest." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and may never be exposed to such a temptation." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty into her hand at the door and which lured her within their not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, IS Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in were new raised from a basin. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the King without delay." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "No." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who me. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking had this final quarrel? goes." read over the extraordinary announcement. very morning of my second wedding." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not before, for it was considerably after midnight. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and glanced through. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend coroner's jury." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I came to find a friend." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Certainly." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent upon the sideboard." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Perfectly so." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry tied." Count Von Kramm." girl said." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: you, my dear young lady?' morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." you give your casting vote to?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Sutherland. "What office?" "Yes." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "No?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss I was concerned in it." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," them present such singular features as the strange train of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day should be so warm over such a trifle." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would long narrative. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we shall use the carriage to-night." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of