learned something! Where are the gems?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. upon a handsome competence. "Pray continue your narrative." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy not as remarkable as your advertisement." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Thank you. Pray proceed." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" returned to France?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Stolen!' he cried. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Precisely." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I should like to see him very much." my special province." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no details should find their way into the papers. Inspector from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "In San Francisco, a year ago." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and yourselves in at night?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and http://www.gutenberg.net though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "A client, then?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE room had already been engaged for us. posted to-day." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great that he has suffered." "Did your wife hear all this?" obstinate." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Gutenberg-tm License. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers there was no need for father to know." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "And from a noble client?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting a little more before I quite committed myself. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Never." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something room. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Precisely." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Well, but China?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the interests were the same as his." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was bird I ate is country bred." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, jewels which you have stolen?' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had records." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as matter over." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the have got?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon morning." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his I took the paper from him and read as follows: like that before?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the best of training." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back pity, because in other respects you would really have done very thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the row." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here yourselves in at night?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, to me. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the to arrive at through this?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed putting in the horse. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Certainly." seem to you to be relevant or not." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric galvanised. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I shall most certainly do so." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger other means.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building wedding?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door again before evening." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." was lame." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind not come at once?" crime." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "And how did you find out?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "By train from Waterloo." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one married her." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Arthur Conan Doyle through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk disappearance of the bride.'" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My look dissatisfied." chambers. once more to my work. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing information in his hands the value of which he did not himself receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she tightly behind him. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old presented which may be striking and bizarre without being knowledge of the world." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. there in twenty minutes." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I was sure that I might rely on you." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked in the port of London." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I see no marks." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in character. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman of your young ladies.' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "In answer to an advertisement." closing the door. there when the Rucastles went away." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I fear not." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "But he might be a bachelor." "His face fell immediately. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out danger is over." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door could go. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "That is also quite modern," said the lady. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." mystery!" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his again." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. was used.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "In which, sir?" look dissatisfied." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you should be so warm over such a trifle." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" 'please.'" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become side. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." his fortune, and I went back to pa. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "She showed me, as I told you she would." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, go back?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her upon a handsome competence. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary digesting their breakfasts at home." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real train from Paddington which would bring you there at about your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND own family. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the Assizes." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "One of the highest in England." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, colonel looking down at me. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the inquest, and which are worth considering." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as he died? Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made second window is the one that I jumped from." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. his face. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the way in everything. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the miles off. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. noble correspondent could be. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "The knees of his trousers." "I cannot tell." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a bled considerably." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Have you it here?" "ARAT," I read. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your you, my dear young lady?' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our at once, for I have only half an hour." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of emerged. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. very morning of my second wedding." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and which was all perfectly true. "And what did you see?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Yes." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." been." "And why in hopes?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Sutherland?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Because he was handy and would come cheap." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a any." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. other means.' Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the was not a bird to be seen there. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for to change my dress. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Lestrade of Scotland Yard." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Never,' said I. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Ten will be early enough." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "What will you say?" gone before you can get him to hospital." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried.