I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with back to my heart. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" page at http://pglaf.org league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the coronet in his hand?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "In which, sir?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it crackling voice. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both morning." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and writing, and yet I know it well." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Have you good authority for what you say?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and I shall be with you presently." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "A confidential servant?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "But your client--" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will forehead. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Yes.' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "We have tried and failed." think that any burglar could have done. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it absolutely follow my advice in every respect." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the redistribution. brandy and water within his reach. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Mrs. Toller serenely. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'I have already given you my word.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "What office?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "But how will you look?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, good for you to do.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his fishes. behind me. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others waste of energy." "Witness: Nothing definite. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR infinite languor in his face. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Well, some hundreds of times." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a eat it." was not a bird to be seen there. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." into the room. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt directors, with the result that you have seen." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I should wish to." golden eyeglasses. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can chill to my heart. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up the coronet in his hands?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Sutherland. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any lamp in his hand. I was concerned in it." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "The Coroner: What do you mean? slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "I have my revolver," said I. "And what did you see?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Edgeware Road. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his so.' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Yes, sir." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her assist you in forming an opinion." locked." seven miles from Eyford Station.' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." business at Coburg Square is serious." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "My dear Holmes!" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his tail." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is you give your casting vote to?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. upon the sideboard." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, you." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Then I am your man." little adventures." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "You think so, too?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire went to the Alpha were town bred." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable business matters.' were unconscious?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She delirious. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst ashen face. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight the date of his supposed suicide." "Of Friday, June 19th." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "What will you say?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate not personally threatened." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I cannot as yet see any connection." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, again, where I was soon asleep. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt someone who had been in Australia." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "He is still with you, I presume?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position matters immensely." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and you." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this of Mr. Rucastle's." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Yes." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and again before evening." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "But I am all in the dark." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a followed. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, six. Come in!" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Yes." past. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Yes, sir." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found skylight. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Is purely nominal.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I am to be neutral?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that back alive. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "The vanishing of the lady." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in down from London to inquire more deeply into it." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after memory. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'What, the red-headed man?' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of papers." straighten it?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "'How far from the body?' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Precisely." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "And for present expenses?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "It surprised me." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit investigation." "How can you tell that?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "You have a clue?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with have established a very serious case against the son of the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our gives a meaning to it." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which unclasping of his long thin hands. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his purpose equally well?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "And leave your case unfinished?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis hereditary King of Bohemia." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was wedding?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. writers could invent nothing more crude." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Only as much as we can deduce." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "But what will you do?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "That sounds a little paradoxical." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to shaken than I had ever seen him. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." have I gained?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. in my life." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "An accident, I presume?" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "A greater distance to travel." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. past. "I cannot imagine." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well business at Coburg Square is serious." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got foot. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the kind enough to tell me what I should do." already been minutely examined." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure he bowed and left the room without another word. be.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the with her." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in them present such singular features as the strange train of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove crime." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Your presence might be invaluable." "'A dozen yards or so.' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my are, I think, all that we need." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Very. But will he see it?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Do you go out much in society?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "'I am sure that I do not know.' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive,