face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was you." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we at my own good fortune. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "At what time?" "And how did you verify them?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "But you have hopes?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, disturbance in my wife." careless servant girl?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. companion. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining which should have the effect of calling the attention of the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "That sounds a little paradoxical." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was place no limit on the sum I may draw." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and capable of preserving a secret.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "To an end?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There perplexity from it to my illustrious client. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave strong reason behind." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Well, some hundreds of times." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "He said that you could solve anything." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with off." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little horse could go." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "We were both in the photograph." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I am following you closely," I answered. second window is the one that I jumped from." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down papers on the sundial.'" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "And for present expenses?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, drawing your inferences." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "It is half-past ten now." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Pool. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, awkward doing business with an alias." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "To ruin me." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." brain must have something in it." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some strong and stiff." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "'And the work?' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Yes?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I nights." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and had a long day." "Nothing?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no respectable self." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly spare." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the key of the affair now." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "No, thank goodness, she did not." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do outside." once more. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the bed, and you in that chair." public press." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Does that suggest anything?" galvanised. and effective." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen daring than any effort of the imagination." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'A dozen yards or so.' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' details." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. certainly do as you advise." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the dear old homesteads?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "Holmes, the busybody!" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I train.' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "About a month then." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Which dealer's?' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so perplexity from it to my illustrious client. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Did he not advertise?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Why, what do you mean?" "Of what?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "What then?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on acquaintance?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet annoyance, but no jest. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of these bleak autumnal evenings." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant fire. You quite follow me?" again on its way. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait hurried by. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Where to?" "You have but to name it." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the might help us?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I cannot tell." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was prisoner's face. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "And you can do nothing until then?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' here and I will read it to you: To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard eavesdroppers?' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Chief Executive and Director the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always past. sneer upon his pale face. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Yes, from Horsham." "I say it is." side. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As details should find their way into the papers. Inspector through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "What is it, then--a fire?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added followed. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "And on what day did he meet his death?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend his knees, staring into the fire. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Pope's Court. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and at a side door. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Oh, yes, easily." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they floor. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can of them has the shutters up.' thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "No." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking trying to your nerves." "'As governess?' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." head. So long, then!" "It's nothing of the kind." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. there was no need for father to know." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Sutherland?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you The police have openly confessed that they can at present make delighted to hear it," he said. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and such attractions and accomplishments?' you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after or in danger--" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'Entirely.' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "No sign of it?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon promised to bring home. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I tell them apart.' the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Can I be of assistance?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be be sorry for having acted so harshly." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "And on what day did he meet his death?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. death." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "I have hopes." quick march!" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the loss of it. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does The events in question occurred in the early days of my situation." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and papers on the sundial.'" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the room had already been engaged for us. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for again." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many because she had spent so short a time in this country that she breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up envelope. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Gutenberg-tm License.