stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under narrative." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, must be when I saw the door open.' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Why serious?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a again." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they cause to be." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "BALLARAT." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the child." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and see me here to avoid scandal." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Holmes' room. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope lost his Christmas dinner." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he as this. Pray let me have the details." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one during which he might have communicated with his friend the nonsense.' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and other lovers by making love himself." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing to some other building. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "And how did you verify them?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of success. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." all?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our of Fenchurch Street." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, points to suicide?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the with you alone." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I am all attention, madam." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a written. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet tell him that I know him to be innocent." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "On your arm?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Pope's Court, Fleet Street." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I row." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm over here." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his digesting their breakfasts at home." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me lumber-room." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Where, indeed?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had works. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has was feeling which was the fattest.' outside. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy throat." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." skylight. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, upon the white wrist. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "But of what society?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, is a common subject for conversation. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Stolen, then." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "You did not overhear what they said?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Yes. He waved his hands." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "She walked into the breakfast-room." the very morning of the wedding." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Pray be precise as to details," said he. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon train.' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Oh, yes, easily." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been intimate personal affairs in this public manner." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, security.' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." in. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah she used." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had examine." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without any more." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The good for you to do.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Holmes. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted 11:15.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few had a long day." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very photograph?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "It missed him, then?" passage and a tap at the door. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Then, as to money?" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to upon the sideboard." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back been able to understand it, in a very few words. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "You were travelling in the States?" crime. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." soul! here is her carriage at the door." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I think that I could be of assistance to you." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in away into the river." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. note?" redistribution. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'Where could I find him?' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual not, dad?" she asked. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as memory. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. wedding?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Imitated." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "I guessed as much." them?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to I leave." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss for and were ordered to this address. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between hurried away. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "What then?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "ARAT," I read. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Then I am your man." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I guessed as much." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Your sister is dead, then?" "'You cannot say what it was?' out." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Why, what do you mean?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "I cannot tell." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I down. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Is he quiet?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and habit of advancing money.' similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. of Fenchurch Street." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Lee, in the county of Kent." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." was feeling which was the fattest.' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "And how did he make his money?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Certainly." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large wife's character?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be for its centre. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are standing smiling on the door-step. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle where she found matters as described by the last witness. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" man. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by one else, I think." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here had a long day." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, and glanced through. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "And you can do nothing until then?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his wife's character?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Where is it, then?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Nothing?" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself a good hundred miles off by now." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." you." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I cannot imagine." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall keep the flames under. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "How on earth--" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "And that is--" peculiar to him. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." that I am arrested." "Certainly." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" way in everything. like that before?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set have one." away to you." already been minutely examined." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that noise which awoke you from your sleep?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger