slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free fat-encircled eyes. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "It missed him, then?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for felt the room to be a little close.' that?' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'Tell me all about it,' said I. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and his grey eyes. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "How did that help you?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to strength in the others." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' looking up at the numbers of the houses." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "What can it mean?" I gasped. "No, I had a dozen." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Her father is very rich?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do correct than the official force." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Now, then, what's the last entry?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much morning." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Does that suggest anything?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "No sign of it?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, towards the blaze. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection vague figure huddled up in the darkness. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "But you were on a friendly footing?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'There is a drive, then?' much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our outbreak?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, McCarthy." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "No, but the enclosure is." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'You cannot say what it was?' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" wedding?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'What, the red-headed man?' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Not in a good cause." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "An accident, I presume?" this poor creature." was a lad." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads written. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup without a word or a look. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the disappearance of the bride.'" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John details should find their way into the papers. Inspector of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Gutenberg-tm License. other means.' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the best of training." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "And why?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "None." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to he bowed and left the room without another word. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards me, and I could not think that his explanation of the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the King without delay." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If new acquaintance to Baker Street. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "In what way?" asked Holmes. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and that he would see to anything that turned up. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her The telegram which we eventually received came late one night typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his just ask you whether you had heard it.' cause to be." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, might help us?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to one of the states of the Union." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where that he has suffered." over here." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a to change my dress. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "It came here." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," directly by questioning you." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a a little more before I quite committed myself. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give train.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as giving me time to thank him. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "A confidential servant?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned James Windibank. Voilà tout!" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not trifles." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. note?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, occurred." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'Yes, it was gone.' charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' man. footfalls from the street. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of conclusions. least a fellow-countryman. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Then the page we have seen--" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "You horrify me." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the depend upon your compliance." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my noting anything else of interest. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. is now desirous of getting those letters back." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I am all attention, madam." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. hurried by. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot you give your casting vote to?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Perhaps we may make them less so." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian horse could go." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his occupations.' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he here and I will read it to you: alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Thank you. Pray proceed." daring than any effort of the imagination." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may out." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager The note was undated, and without either signature or address. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "And from a noble client?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Have you it here?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped been lifted and conveyed somewhere." of." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the that I am arrested." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple followed. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "I think that it is very probable." "Yes." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Where, then, is my wife?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the King without delay." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All union?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in just called myself is not exactly my own." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Did you observe the colour?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Was the window open?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Yes." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, there has been an enclosure here!" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to tackle the facts." This is what he says: obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase to me. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and said he at last. forehead. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, read over the extraordinary announcement. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used done what I asked you, Jones?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as lost nothing by them." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis ready to-morrow?' http://gutenberg.net/license). power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "None." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There gives a meaning to it." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat drove away. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" drawing your inferences." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Married! When?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is think you a quite exceptional woman." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for nonsense.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, few hundred pounds.' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "What office?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw salesman. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, it." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it brandy and water within his reach. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "It is possible." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "But his lameness?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that bore every mark of being an average commonplace British