she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "You are all wrong." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. retorted upon me, and I on you." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Is he quiet?" "From his hat?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Precisely." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "He slept on the premises." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his 'I should be able to look after that for you.' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Her father is very rich?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "'What are you doing there?' he asked. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "And now?" I asked. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Yes." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I will, Miss Turner." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." been able to understand it, in a very few words. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice gone. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "No more words. Get out!" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a depend upon your compliance." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a I shall continue with my miserable story. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was whole matter to your consideration." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to tell them apart.' "Of what?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I cannot imagine." to me. window when the police appeared." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle McCarthy." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they him and tried to hold him back. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been all-comprehensive glances. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would constraint." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his success. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: be there in time for your coming." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the occurred." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from it right.' "Bought." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, placed his cuttings. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and the colonel ushered me in. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his learned something! Where are the gems?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. your most interesting statement." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to off." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "What do you mean?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "May I see it?" father's place of business?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We help us in this matter." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "No." "Yes." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall brandy and water within his reach. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "We were both in the photograph." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing derbies." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was suspect him." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Yes, it was twisted." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella call it cruel." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident weary and pale-looking. sound at heart." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and inquire as to the address." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Not in a good cause." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "No sign of it?" speckled band?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "It is to him that this trophy belongs." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. washing it down with a long draught of water. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand of note-paper. It read in this fashion: an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I will do it." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads any little problem which you may submit to me." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Well?" asked. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two be there in time for your coming." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I once more to my work. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Yes." is acting for the best. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in client, rising. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I am in hopes that she does." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used fat-encircled eyes. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'Yes, it was gone.' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, it." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'Yes, sir.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "What do you make of that, Watson?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that believe that I should never have any practice at all. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I am still in the dark." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a it were putty." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were should be taken.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "How can you tell that?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "She walked into the breakfast-room." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now corner of the building. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to official police." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Yes?" of the way of danger. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a she might be summoned. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "In the cells." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the Literary Archive Foundation the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very feature." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "The landlord of the Alpha." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to went to the Alpha were town bred." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "And how in the world did you find them?" official police." "Did you observe the colour?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Yes." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Never.' you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional for the market.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the strength of mind to control. client, rising. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Does that suggest anything?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And I to find an enemy." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the amused." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of happened." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' recover the gem." to-night?' pound a week." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of quick march!" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a forebodings. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "None." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "I see many objections to any such theory." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some important." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your You can understand that this register and diary may implicate you." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of business." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, this Miss Turner." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his several quiet little villages up there." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "And on what day did he meet his death?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from if she died from some sudden fright." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Pope's Court. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his situation." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose sneer upon his pale face. waste of energy." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to without a word or a look. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up this poor creature." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "No, distinctly professional." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or in the port of London." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could a very grave face. was a perfect sample of the class. His smile broadened. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Yes, it was twisted." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His His smile broadened. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I promise," said Holmes. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the nursery. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "But what will you do?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. lost nothing by them." morning." imbecility!" he cried. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Cross for the Continent." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Not him." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he copied or distributed: his forehead." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." mystery may be cleared along those lines." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked weighed down with some great anxiety. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the Red-headed League." disappearance of the bride.'" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the stable lane now." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such