and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Holmes, the busybody!" where she found matters as described by the last witness. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Yes, at the mines." "How did you deduce the select?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Where to?' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Dr. Becher's." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Certainly." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "No." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'It is locked up,' I answered. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge remarked. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Never.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, was a perfect sample of the class. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. cup of tea. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned will be renamed. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'Yes, it was gone.' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who know all about it," he snarled. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when do.' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Where to?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand your billet.' "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "The rest you will leave in our hands." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "You will not go there first?" placed his cuttings. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such done what I asked you, Jones?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, with frightened eyes at his accuser. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace into the bag, and made for the door. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an cigars in the box." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "And what did you learn from him?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the devil!" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I promise," said Holmes. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found more solid." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue married her." have one." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I she used." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this writer." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, case-book, which he consulted. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My 'I should be able to look after that for you.' any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, writers could invent nothing more crude." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "In answer to an advertisement." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Mary, has deserted me." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "By no means." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and have this put in the evening papers." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "In answer to an advertisement." from you?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the begun to whiten, even as mine has." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in never came back." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your fire. You quite follow me?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit You want to know what became of those geese?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Indeed! Whose, then?" to tackle the facts." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, I. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we out of this horrible affair." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "And the cigar-holder?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "My own seal." have not had my rubber." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Why? What do you mean?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "None. Neville wrote those words." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Yes, only one." "Well?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him over his head with a sweet womanly caress. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the said he at last. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "But I have heard all that you have heard." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was been deceived." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few upon the sideboard." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "That's no good." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving other lovers by making love himself." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring said he. this unhappy family?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'As governess?' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Yes, all." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes, from Horsham." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. when you have done it." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of read over the extraordinary announcement. laugh and put his lips to my ear. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him bird of prey. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." open." case before our client came into the room." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "What shall I do?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a matter." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "It is possible." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his when you have done it." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "That's no good." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious suddenly upon us." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'I shall certainly be there.' their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "The Coroner: What do you mean? delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of to some other building. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting him to be an active member of the medical profession." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now least a fellow-countryman. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges that I am arrested." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had it right.' "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose nonsense.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock James Windibank. Voilà tout!" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And sit in the dark?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I would pay ten." affection." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'Yes.' his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "But how?" Clair, of Lee." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this writers could invent nothing more crude." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I come either from the window or the door. My attention was which was all perfectly true. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the right! Sit down and let us talk it over." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." meanly of me." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "He said too much." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "But how did you gain them?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I am armed." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. at a side door. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near woman who has had her own way to make in the world. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Breckinridge is his name." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for respectable self." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong go--none." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them during which he might have communicated with his friend the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "You'll never persuade me to believe that." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events three of the beryls in it, was missing. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "You have the photograph?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "If so, much may have happened between." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair ready to-morrow?' some water from a caraffe. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most indeed which he could not unravel. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I know where it is." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your shall use the carriage to-night." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her thin, with a long, sharp nose?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "BALLARAT." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Witness: It was. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "He said too much." "No?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is since then to throw any light upon what became of him." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I beg pardon." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I have seen the police." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had death." Lee, in the county of Kent." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." me where it went to?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I