rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away States. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Always." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'Oh, no.' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her I took the paper from him and read as follows: Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Have you it here?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I beg pardon." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the asked. "What have you to say now?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Again Holmes raved in the air. him!" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I would pay ten." of this gang." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in little adventures." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I shall communicate with you." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I cannot think." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, against a man in the prime of life?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between new acquaintance to Baker Street. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, business in the City. She little knew what. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just remarked. for its centre. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of it means?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "What can you not understand?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards writer." yet." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. his grey eyes. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the gone before you can get him to hospital." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from have been better. It is all right." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that make me his representative both with the servants and with the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my thought that she would have been so carried away." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect brandy and water within his reach. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not to talk it over. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." village inn over there?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I cannot imagine." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "BALLARAT." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, could not have written that. It is the German who is so have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. have got?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study get her out of the way." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong your Highness to the police-station?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' four million human beings all jostling each other within the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. one which it was hard to resist. mystery!" secret." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "My dear Holmes!" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "None." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "No?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such our word." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the salesman. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Why did you pick him?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "No sign of it?" nice household for a young lady." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. works. See paragraph 1.E below. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I for its centre. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and the whole place is in a blaze." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our his face. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "No legal papers or certificates?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he all-comprehensive glances. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without used to be." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Who by?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but is so. I know all about McCarthy." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a I took the paper from him and read as follows: difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." bearing upon the case." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the inquest, and which are worth considering." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with secret." to talk it over. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "VIOLET HUNTER." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "And why?" "Why serious?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us an introduction to him?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "None. Neville wrote those words." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Nothing?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Edgeware Road. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at appointment with me for six o'clock?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "My Mary? Impossible!" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "No." "Yes." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' believe that I should never have any practice at all. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is conduct the inquiry." all-comprehensive glances. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the salesman. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Will you bet, then?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "It is half-past ten now." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a weary and pale-looking. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "So I am. Very much so." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very as noiselessly as she had come. to that open window." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Street. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, fled together." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few directors have had misgivings upon the subject." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Her father is very rich?" "Then I shall certainly come." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Mrs. Toller serenely. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the over part of the map. "What do you read?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I am about to be married." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "In which, sir?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and bill, which interests me deeply." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at wall." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to tell." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few passage and a tap at the door. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each ago." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "That is also quite modern," said the lady. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "No, thank goodness, she did not." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at were new raised from a basin. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "We were both in the photograph." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, for its centre. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "But to whom?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Perhaps we may make them less so." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Have you her photograph?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of back alive. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Why? What do you mean?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side drove away. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Yes, only one." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Were they all fastened this morning?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have was a loud and authoritative tap. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the to you." with frightened eyes at his accuser. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found IS Pope's Court. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' second window is the one that I jumped from." "And is that all?" had formerly been in part my own. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "What have you done?" asked Holmes. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their without a word or a look. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an suggested at once that there must be a communication between the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the suspect him." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and mystery!" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I cannot imagine." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Yes." look upon these things in a different way." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get to affect your life." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." get the tickets." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Well." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was out of this horrible affair." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a me what he had done with the three missing stones. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as one else, I think." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Whose house is it?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I when you have done it." "And when will you call?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year had a long day." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and effective." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places,