"You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though has little to do with my story." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Ample." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." unprecedented a position." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. later, upon the night of May 2nd." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our so far?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'Is purely nominal.' nice household for a young lady." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a closing the door. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few important." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Again Holmes raved in the air. "We have tried and failed." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, instincts rose up against that laugh. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. occurred." carried out of court." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Were they all fastened this morning?" his huge brown hands. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." companion. standing smiling on the door-step. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her examine." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "And why?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Of what?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other Clair, of Lee." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Yes, sir." the bottom.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "But what is it you wish?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair come either from the window or the door. My attention was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a quickly through a disagreeable task. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Was the window open?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I will get her to show me." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your less than 26s. 4d. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "How did that help you?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Pray let us have it, for all that." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Pray continue your narrative." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Entirely.' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'Certainly not. But why?' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Yes, the wine-cellar." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses made him keep the appointment." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been results." I approached. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He one of them." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did I nodded again. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it and files of the old papers, following the future career of every results." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "No." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good them present such singular features as the strange train of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a power." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "That is easily got." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Pray continue your narrative." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "At half-wages, in fact." with you alone." your only hope of safety." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me of your young ladies.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a appeal." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips the bottom.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black gone. "Witness: I must still refuse. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Stoke Moran." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will said I. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you came in." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "That is easily got." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'Never.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the very morning of the wedding." in this note: things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking The telegram which we eventually received came late one night among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "What office?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor keep the flames under. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "And now?" He raised his hand. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "And you can do nothing until then?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So too. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute careless servant girl?" lamp in his hand. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by with you?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Sutherland?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Stoke Moran." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "One?" His name is Francis Prosper." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Farm upon the left." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made take the flies, but not before." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and extraordinary contortions. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "I was mad--insane." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into away to you." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast brandy and water within his reach. key turn in the lock." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Where did he live, then?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and against a man in the prime of life?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that John Swain, of St. Augustine. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I am to be neutral?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "That's no good." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." least a most suspicious remark." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He come either from the window or the door. My attention was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "A call for help, you thought?" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not congratulate you again." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "What office?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Then you may be so with me." Heh?' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place one of them." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Yes. He waved his hands." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Eh? What was that?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now ill-usage at the hands of fortune. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the memory. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, matter." nice household for a young lady." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that I am arrested." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it chamber." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, a monotonous occupation." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'How far from the body?' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the King without delay." "Precisely." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every strange features which were associated with the two crimes which we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." made his money." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By kindly on the shoulder. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was questioning and rather startled gaze. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her what these perils are?" yourselves in at night?" "'Which dealer's?' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered The police have openly confessed that they can at present make some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Then I do not see the point." in one or two places in England?' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Always." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "If so, much may have happened between." I am not easy in my mind about them." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "This photograph!" "No, I had a dozen." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held to some other building. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I was lame." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My do.' it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Who was the criminal, then?"