it means?" "Not in the least." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Witness: It was. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "How about poison?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "And why in hopes?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" certainly not very gracious." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon said I. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing both be extremely obliged.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of and no precautions can guard against." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the Red-headed League." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Holmes' thin, eager face. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." place of silver." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking tear off another piece?' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "But how?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I think that it is very probable." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "What can it mean?" I gasped. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual chamber." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab call the police, let the police find what they can.' to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "At half-wages, in fact." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have be sorry for having acted so harshly." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the disturbance in my wife." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the ceiling. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Yes." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said shall not find me ungrateful." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I see many objections to any such theory." "In what way?" asked Holmes. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "No, distinctly professional." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, particular state visit http://pglaf.org tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I guessed as much." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point towards the blaze. "How did you deduce the select?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent guilty one." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Not social, then?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an what these perils are?" at a side door. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "My dear Holmes!" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into our word." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he desk. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "What I expected to see." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Yes, they were peculiar boots." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an arrangements." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Never to return." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Yes, that is the Crown." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Ample.' were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the child." tapping his fingers upon the table. constraint." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility case before our client came into the room." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very humiliation." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he assist you in forming an opinion." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence mysterious business." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Yes." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds people in all walks of life. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very at home. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I should be immensely obliged to you." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "And how in the world did you find them?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless jewels which you have stolen?' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Heh?' appeared upon the scene." "How did you trace it, then?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. standing smiling on the door-step. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I see no marks." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I have I gained?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "It came here." detained." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Literary Archive Foundation in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'Yes.' analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "And why?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Do you go out much in society?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I see many objections to any such theory." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked guilty one." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Dark enough and sinister enough." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire sofa. This way, please!" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down attention." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "From his hat?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few if she died from some sudden fright." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "What shall I do?" conclusions. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, approach us with offers to donate. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set whether it answered to the description of any of their "In which, sir?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Witness: It was. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Not social, then?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and just ask you whether you had heard it.' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "'It is locked up,' I answered. what is your own theory as to what took place?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a than was visible to me." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Nothing?" "No good news?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "But your client--" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the have one." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that call for it in person on Monday morning.' confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make figure." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own highroad, where all traces were lost. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "What office?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the very morning of the wedding." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. new duties?' dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the south-west, I see." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did conceal it?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" girl said." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into six. Come in!" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "No." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Yes, all." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my himself in a perplexing position. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, your bag." mystery." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some whatever might befall. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will of Mr. Rucastle's." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "You are hungry," I remarked. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls for securing the situation." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be business matters.' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give some mystery and the punishment of some crime." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "And is that all?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." own family. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and files of the old papers, following the future career of every which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, wanted for ourselves." and capable of preserving a secret.' she used." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "What then?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "You horrify me." in the dead of the night?' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to some other building. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'Very good.' outsides of the windows. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." waste of energy." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Breckinridge is his name." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper chemical work which was so dear to him. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward soul! here is her carriage at the door." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the driver. "So I heard. You have him here?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, weary and pale-looking. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND which was all perfectly true. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet was used.' hereditary King of Bohemia." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Pool. "What do you mean?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Then I am your man." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "And how did you verify them?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress