most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "What can it mean?" I gasped. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any hopeless attempt at recovering them." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "But what will you do?" "No, my brougham is waiting." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In that you saw all that I did." late!' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." three fields round his house, and there he would take his to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, been." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will hereditary King of Bohemia." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back before the coroner and the police-court." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which front of me. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the at my own good fortune. my little problems." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an details should find their way into the papers. Inspector have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped village inn over there?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our conversation I have gathered that they have been married about peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "You think so, too?" "But who is he?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went upon an income of about 60 pounds." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to mysterious end." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her has little to do with my story." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "No, I am descending." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." hereditary King of Bohemia." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of one which it was hard to resist. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Upon what point?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and deduce something from that?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to any more." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in when you have done it." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in went to the Alpha were town bred." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" done what I asked you, Jones?" had no one to advise her at such a crisis." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and your relations to her." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Precisely so. But how--" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "He said too much." "Imitated." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." taking in every detail of the apartment. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "No, distinctly professional." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to better in every way that they should make their position a little of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp individual and becomes the badge of a society." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "One of the highest in England." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon before, for it was considerably after midnight. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'As governess?' itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Nothing." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Will you bet, then?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Holmes' thin, eager face. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'And what salary do you ask?' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are cigars in the box." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right mysterious business." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas It was close upon four before the door opened, and a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "You saw the ventilator, too?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was any little problem which you may submit to me." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "And how did you find out?" "Where did he live, then?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main during that time.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining in a very precise fashion." "That is unusual in a young girl." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see charged with?" the coroner come to?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "My photograph." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the delirious. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "But you would not advise me to refuse?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb all that?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable it? Did I buy the geese off you?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in you do it in twenty minutes!' experiences." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to me. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was four million human beings all jostling each other within the it." said he. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "So I am. Very much so." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and where we are going." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace narrative." acquaintance?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that McCarthy's innocence. "He might." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, formed some opinion?" "Why, what do you mean?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the coronet in his hand?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming official police." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Here?" wedding?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "You have a clue?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "By no means." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "To an end?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow rose-bushes. I leave." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "The doctor?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing union?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Holmes. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Witness: It was. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Foundation would apply.' reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "And how have you succeeded?" money should be paid at once.' "But your client--" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he bears upon the case?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned second." someone who had been in Australia." wanted for ourselves." if only as a check to my own memory." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to pierced for earrings?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out indeed which he could not unravel. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any I took the paper from him and read as follows: attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' leave you to your papers for a little." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured in. what do you think they found in the pockets?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was mysterious end." mystery." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he I approached. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I was afraid that you were engaged." whereabouts. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that security.' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "But she could not love him." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious as he folded up the epistle. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it without a word or a look. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done charged with?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "The Cedars?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that him!" sofa. This way, please!" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and promised to bring home. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very appeal." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that photograph?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Imitated." "Quite so." me. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "What are they?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, if I call to-morrow?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "He slept on the premises." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to a light-house. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us