*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An get her out of the way." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Well, some hundreds of times." to-night's adventure." "My stepfather's business papers." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind down in his armchair and closing his eyes. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness tension within him. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "No more words. Get out!" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper she might be summoned. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the coronet in his hand?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the if she died from some sudden fright." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but call you and give you the chance." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite business." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? address. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Oh, no.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in vague figure huddled up in the darkness. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where affair. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was before the coroner and the police-court." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were rose-bushes. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never which our visitor detailed to us. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Not him." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. very old mansion. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yes." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Now, then, what's the last entry?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible despaired of." to Leatherhead. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "And what then?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, letters?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I should like to see him very much." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this province." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Your presence might be invaluable." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Frequently." 'please.'" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I saw her in conversation with her maid." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without it with his own hands." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point was keenly on my guard against him. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Well, but China?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he three of the beryls in it, was missing. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the fuss that is made over them." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug hardly wander." least a fellow-countryman. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I had died away into the silence from which it rose. "To the police?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An lids now and glanced across at his visitor. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "No, I think that I'll take it." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every you?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the window, rose as we entered. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I came to find a friend." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Then, how do you know?" union?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism down in his armchair and closing his eyes. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that of note-paper. It read in this fashion: what I may call a really hard day's work." me upon any point which I do not make clear." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "It missed him, then?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Really! You surprise me." your bag." face and glided from the room. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods crowd. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." were new raised from a basin. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, within hail.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation in this way: until night should bring an explanation. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists as yours." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Edgeware Road. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it returning from some small jollification and was making his way with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at which was all perfectly true. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, stepfather?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the head. So long, then!" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" forebodings. in one or two places in England?' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of in him." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Pool. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and place no limit on the sum I may draw." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, salesman. "9th. McCauley cleared. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's advice." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Then he might have called to you?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which to-night?" I asked. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the what these perils are?" "By no means." "Yes, sir." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Look there!" said he. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a possible that we could bring him back to her? sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "No more words. Get out!" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "The rest you will leave in our hands." some water from a caraffe. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, his wife has ceased to love him." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet should be taken.' touch that coronet?' "Where is it, then?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found burst into a hearty fit of laughter. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Stolen." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Tired-looking or fresh?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was not as remarkable as your advertisement." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "And the cigar-holder?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "That is easily got." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "They are typewritten," I remarked. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "By train from Waterloo." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the it." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "And is that all?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow License. You must require such a user to return or money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. forehead. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "What?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'Very good.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to certainly do as you advise." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things depend upon my doing so.' and your relations to her." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "In San Francisco, a year ago." Chief Executive and Director in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read entirely devoid of interest." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "10th. John Swain cleared. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the child." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "In San Francisco, a year ago." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed own family. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "And what did you learn from him?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting more terrible than the truth. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "And what did you see?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Where, then, is my wife?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that door?" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed rat could hardly pass through." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "It is possible." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Tired-looking or fresh?" generous with you in money matters.' "You have carte blanche." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away once more to my work. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Yes, all." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side on in his house." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for fishes. "What can it mean?" I gasped. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "How did that help you?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "She showed me, as I told you she would." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared plantation.' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to third from London." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best been shamefully used." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after three fields round his house, and there he would take his feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. minor matters until to-morrow." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I am to be neutral?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court village inn over there?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, redistribution. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow have accepted such a situation. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug cost them two and thirty pounds." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen."