controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and I shall be with you presently." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and opportunities to fix the problem. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the mysterious end." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "And for present expenses?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. delighted to hear it," he said. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table to a light-house. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Ah!" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such was not a bird to be seen there. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND go back?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a have one." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "The knees of his trousers." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush asked. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. when your master had gone out." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my have not had my rubber." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "What then?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "So I am. Very much so." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but completely overtopped every other consideration that we both window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom horse could go." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and 1.F. The King stared at him in amazement. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most is," said he presently: the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and as he remarks, very much against the son." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who written, and locked the door of the office after me. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that done what I asked you, Jones?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, from you?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in fasten all the windows?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too already referred to. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the south-west, I see." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's she used." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his breakfast." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more crowd. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two wedding?" head. So long, then!" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on business." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Where does the thing come from?' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "In which, sir?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark guilty one." "And I." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, nice household for a young lady." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "That is possible." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his My friend smiled. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Indeed! Whose, then?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and the whole place is in a blaze." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom morning." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, said I. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without character. get the tickets." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, quickly through a disagreeable task. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Never." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "That's no good." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must could not account in any way for the presence of the missing his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would outbreak?" I leave." back into the street. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, me." happened." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "But I have heard all that you have heard." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "And your mother is alive?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "And your mother is alive?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official tapping his fingers upon the table. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Never." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "She will not sell." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "If I can be of use." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a union?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I don't believe it." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than him and tried to hold him back. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. papers diligently of late, have you not?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his started for the Temple to see my husband. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were his forehead." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I see no marks." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off were wasted." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the even so self-evident a thing as that." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Then I am your man." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "A greater distance to travel." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. official police." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it husband's writing, madam." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the there in twenty minutes." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled wedding?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to for its centre. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to if she died from some sudden fright." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in disappearance of the bride.'" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "No bad?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and was used.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "That sounds a little paradoxical." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in directly by questioning you." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Well, but China?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and very morning of my second wedding." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty any." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to go into your room and bar your shutters?" bonnet, and went out." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still she to prove their authenticity?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. memory. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and any little problem which you may submit to me." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'How far from the body?' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that It may be so in this case, also." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and laid it on the table. place of silver." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "What are they?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without tell him that I know him to be innocent." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so main points of my analysis." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he morning." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "What will you say?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' to miss it." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing ago." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "How did you trace it, then?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Never." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, instincts rose up against that laugh. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it in your London, you will know that the office of the company is France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer subject to the trademark license, especially commercial read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There case before our client came into the room." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. new duties?' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm skylight. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would into her hand at the door and which lured her within their flock.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." this poor creature." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" excitement. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab not use it unless it is absolutely needed." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I on in his house." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as directly by questioning you." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Very murderous indeed." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was business." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "You know me, then?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a quite distinctive." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven this poor creature." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" lectures into a series of tales." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his in him." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Ah!" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to what is your own theory as to what took place?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the coronet at all injured?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Nothing?" investigation." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Never." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Not yet." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any is now desirous of getting those letters back." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Eyford." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first