I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "How about poison?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "The murder was done with it." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A sofa. This way, please!" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting detective. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had kind enough to tell me what I should do." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises It was close upon four before the door opened, and a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled himself to tell his story. to-night's adventure." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my ill-usage at the hands of fortune. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Leave Paddington by the 11:15." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "But what is it you wish?" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "But what is it you wish?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" as yours." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She go from here to the Strand." companion quietly. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Yesterday." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Miss Holder?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps individual and becomes the badge of a society." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be strong reason behind." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the to some other building. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "'Certainly not. But why?' and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Then you may be so with me." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 light and attacked it." was a lad." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I am not easy in my mind about them." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the get her out of the way." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic matter." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and highly," said Holmes. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "No." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "He disappeared so suddenly." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one made him keep the appointment." "And how in the world did you find them?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front article?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "But I am all in the dark." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were particular state visit http://pglaf.org she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an from the brougham. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, this unhappy family?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I then?" a very grave face. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "What then?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, once more to my work. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of where we are going." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "You know me, then?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the confronted him. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle carpenter." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Farm upon the left." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything knowledge of the world." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Have you her photograph?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, was lame." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the this poor creature." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not vague figure huddled up in the darkness. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, into the room. through." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "But not more so than I to find you." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross him." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if distance from the station, and there we found the young lady success. six. Come in!" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would too. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Never to return." a little more before I quite committed myself. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Of what day?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "It looks newer than the other things?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly breakfast and whispered something to her husband. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "ARAT," I read. "Tired-looking or fresh?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'Never,' said I. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her been lifted and conveyed somewhere." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his train from Paddington which would bring you there at about imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "No, thank goodness, she did not." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Literary Archive Foundation Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "'There is a drive, then?' cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Stolen, then." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "At the wedding breakfast." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "A confidential servant?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was made his money." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Of Friday, June 19th." fear." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "The best possible." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was chair. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "But what harm can there be in that?" "It is possible." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "ARAT," I read. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear address. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Did you observe the colour?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "It is to him that this trophy belongs." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his brandy and water within his reach. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "And who is her maid?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Of what day?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated brain must have something in it." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of footfalls from the street. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'About the same.' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "And how?" "How do you know, then?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Dark enough and sinister enough." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We directly by questioning you." "And Miss Sutherland?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended and capable of preserving a secret.' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from habit of advancing money.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Perfectly so." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know when you have done it." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Then how many are there?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to in this way: the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab garden below. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest compunction about shooting them down." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay open." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I it." his face. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, see me here to avoid scandal." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "No. What a strange idea!" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." village inn over there?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the bed, and you in that chair." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached in a friendly supper." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "What shall I do?" "Precisely." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "That also I could fathom." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings McCarthy." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts villagers almost as much as their master. a good hundred miles off by now." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had again, where I was soon asleep. "Murdered?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the