and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now whereabouts. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I You want to know what became of those geese?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I am all attention, madam." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "And that is--" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Yes, I have one waiting." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." walking." interests were the same as his." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "It surprised me." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "My private note-paper." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended written, and locked the door of the office after me. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "'Oh, no.' in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come I shall continue with my miserable story. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "What steps will you take?" I asked. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in man. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in figure." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those sofa. This way, please!" least a most suspicious remark." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Pray do so." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She shall not find me ungrateful." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that mystery may be cleared along those lines." his eyes and forehead. "Your presence might be invaluable." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to breakfast." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "And the murderer?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and man. I know him from the photograph." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "And what did you learn from him?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was photograph?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new have an American origin." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little least a most suspicious remark." "It looks newer than the other things?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to arrested. You then--" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Stoke Moran?" said he. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Entirely." where we are going." wanted for ourselves." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the iron safe, which he closed upon it. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon which I could not give. He asked for Alice. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, trying to your nerves." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the what these perils are?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." emerged. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, gone. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning papers diligently of late, have you not?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies other, as fresh and trim as possible. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Street. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. matter over." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Is purely nominal.' light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been question," said Holmes, smiling. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got 1.F. house for five minutes.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the morning." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a His smile broadened. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "He said that you could solve anything." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on best detective that ever lived. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." your Highness to the police-station?" think, you have already met." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other straighten it?" "It is possible." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of London for the present?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I answered that I had not. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up made him keep the appointment." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have hurried by. have had none more fantastic than this." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. views." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy guilty one." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went know what is wrong with it.' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very them?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "What! a murderous attack?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers colonel looking down at me. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the bearing upon the case." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I have my revolver," said I. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Breckinridge is his name." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Pray do so." fire. You quite follow me?" bachelor.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I will try. What is it?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove disappearance of these gems?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "You saw the ventilator, too?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could hereditary King of Bohemia." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the bachelor.' "'And the work?' showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how points to suicide?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw character. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" garden below. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and as this. Pray let me have the details." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I never have." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy wife's character?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at call you and give you the chance." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took sit on the left-hand side of the driver." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Very truly yours, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Then you may be so with me." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Yes." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Why did you beat the pavement?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place politicians who had been sent down from the North. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "But how?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "I will not look." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in any more." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I States. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your sparkled upon his finger. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one highroad, where all traces were lost. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I cannot imagine." retorted upon me, and I on you." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my bill, which interests me deeply." my special province." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so http://gutenberg.net/license). not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the guilty parties." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Quite so." "On your arm?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." to change my dress. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "But his lameness?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I will, Miss Turner." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a that you saw all that I did." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Why did you pick him?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work this remarkable episode. this Miss Turner." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting laugh and put his lips to my ear. forecastle of an emigrant ship. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." in one or two places in England?' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Project Gutenberg-tm works. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and are, and they are waiting for us." infinite languor in his face. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the child." my little problems." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Not particularly." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" something of him before." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "And now?" He raised his hand. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "In what way?" asked Holmes. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque following enigmatical notices: Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my prisoner's face. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." weapon." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I some city in a dream. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Then I do not see the point." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in his knees, staring into the fire. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if individual and becomes the badge of a society." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I will, Miss Turner." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Dr. Becher's." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "By all means." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in or in danger--" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your sentimental considerations in the background which would induce of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I My friend smiled. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could had died away into the silence from which it rose. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," bill, which interests me deeply." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be his fortune, and I went back to pa. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one advice." into the room. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to one which it was hard to resist. confronted him. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed breakfast?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our is four-and-twenty." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Your presence might be invaluable." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Literary Archive Foundation and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a that "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards there was no need for father to know." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "No. What a strange idea!" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the he. man.