of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to our word." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Where to?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way companion imperturbably. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged your billet.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Watson," he said cordially. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a must compliment you." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can my secret was safe in his possession. believe that I should never have any practice at all. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was of the way of danger. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I served to weaken the effect. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes himself. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do opened the door, and slipped through. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for was already answered. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. papers diligently of late, have you not?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his derbies." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction she used." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and effective." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Very truly yours, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in opportunities to fix the problem. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint remarked. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "It looks newer than the other things?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the house with me." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Dr. Gregory B. Newby age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as anything to do with the matter?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Then, how do you know?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "But we can't all be." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she lost nothing by them." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in third from London." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "But he might be a bachelor." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'Oh, no.' "It's nothing of the kind." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "That sounds a little paradoxical." there has been an enclosure here!" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "They are typewritten," I remarked. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so had formerly been in part my own. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and you want, then?' "And for present expenses?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Of Friday, June 19th." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and noble correspondent could be. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return such person." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "What is it?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Your presence might be invaluable." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. voice. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I should be immensely obliged to you." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper papers must be those that are destroyed.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "What, then, did Peterson do?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he are windows in it, of course?" of the way of danger. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of had picked up in the wood. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The King stared at him in amazement. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Have you her photograph?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'It is locked up,' I answered. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Literary Archive Foundation It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and excitement. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Henry Baker is a member." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "To the police?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious fat-encircled eyes. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my residence of the great financier. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "If I can be of use." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the danger is over." voice, changing her seat as requested. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp as the one I chose?' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "The vanishing of the lady." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "'Yes, sir.' For additional contact information: to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked tassel actually lying upon the pillow. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I done what I asked you, Jones?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and success. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here My friend smiled. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as enter into my head. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Yesterday." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Yes." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the warnings." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "We were both in the photograph." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Countess of Morcar's?" which we had just quitted. "'You cannot say what it was?' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Upon what point?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "A call for help, you thought?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Pray continue your narrative." business matters.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "But you can know nothing of this?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by highroad, where all traces were lost. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Where does the thing come from?' stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I again, where I was soon asleep. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Well, but China?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "I shall most certainly do so." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "In the cells." "Who was the criminal, then?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Upon what point?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" crime. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off any." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the happened." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Again Holmes raved in the air. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow appointment with me for six o'clock?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Watson," he said cordially. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Certainly." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes works. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who business in the City. She little knew what. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was purpose equally well?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "How about poison?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "No?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close late." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the bottom.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "In answer to an advertisement." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "The gentleman I describe." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can have established a very serious case against the son of the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "I will do it." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been heavy and sharp instrument." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and again." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too entirely lost his self-respect." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor careless servant girl?" I nodded to show that I had heard. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer there were so many in the whole country as were brought together terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over returning from some small jollification and was making his way form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "The King of Scandinavia." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first was once confined in the cab my mission was practically to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. together. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and long narrative. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "I cannot imagine." "And from a noble client?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the fire. You quite follow me?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you telegram would bring me down to your help." the matter." bachelor.'