was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "VIOLET HUNTER." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason any more." "Why, what do you mean?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly weary and pale-looking. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the matter?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the south-west, I see." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Leave Paddington by the 11:15." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would nothing of it?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Won't it ring?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then during that time.' "'About the same.' warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" it right.' up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "But he might be a bachelor." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "One horse?" interjected Holmes. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the married her." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, face and glided from the room. Sholtos." out." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on it." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Farm upon the left." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Really! You surprise me." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to carried out of court." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was it with his own hands." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among second window is the one that I jumped from." "He slept on the premises." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the returned to France?" "No, my brougham is waiting." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, beg that you will break it off." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having there." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the page at http://pglaf.org she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove lamp in his hand. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "No." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Yes, it was twisted." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I fear not." few hundred pounds.' her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may at a side door. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "At the wedding breakfast." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side over his head with a sweet womanly caress. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other the King without delay." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "No. What a strange idea!" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other believe that I should never have any practice at all. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "So I am. Very much so." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Here?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, that, and I came down." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was whereabouts. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is night.' said he. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. it were putty." the stones. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "My private note-paper." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as awkward doing business with an alias." important." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in look dissatisfied." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Do you receive much company?" he asked. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and have this put in the evening papers." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room never will be, entirely cleared up. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another little adventures." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "No, I think that I'll take it." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "To ruin me." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. retorted upon me, and I on you." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open against a man in the prime of life?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at entirely lost his self-respect." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. showing my impatience. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my spare." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." you in yours." "One of the highest in England." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for before, for it was considerably after midnight. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Yes, the wine-cellar." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have point in the dark hollow of his hand. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Precisely." "But your client--" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and ago." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "And on what day did he meet his death?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately there was no need for father to know." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "And when will you call?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so at my own good fortune. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" despaired of." the inquest, and which are worth considering." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "By no means." "What is it?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." redistribution. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, criminal. We have already had experience of such." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so as the one I chose?' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" like that before?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Literary Archive Foundation the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Seven!" I answered. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we for securing the situation." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily danger is over." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I will get her to show me." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Eyford at 11:15.' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his burst out into a roar of laughter. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a gone. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than visitors." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name long narrative. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most be best to do. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Texas, I think." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can depend upon your compliance." "None." "She walked into the breakfast-room." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend strode off upon his way. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such again." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Holmes. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an arrested. You then--" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I am about to be married." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons thirty. redistribution. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of beg that you will break it off." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an that you wished to speak to me?' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by there is a decided draught." tapping his fingers upon the table. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." speckled band?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold four million human beings all jostling each other within the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, here." fuss that is made over them." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "That is easily got." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has amused." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged o'clock is it?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the date of his supposed suicide." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out rose-bushes. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Then I shall certainly come." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "One?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Absolutely none." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the was not a bird to be seen there. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "You have carte blanche." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about time." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I have a cab outside." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Yes." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you congenial hunt. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It is possible." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you charge against him will break down." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, presume?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble face and glided from the room. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been strong and stiff." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are good for you to do.' "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. McCarthy's innocence. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from a good hundred miles off by now." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Doctor, of the paper and the date." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was