"'Where to?' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom out of this horrible affair." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "But you have hopes?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at careless servant girl?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'Then let me do so?' entirely devoid of interest." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "What will you do, then?" "In the cells." the devil!" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own train.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich present." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire written. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Eh? What was that?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who a good hundred miles off by now." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the little opening for the ventilator is." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." definite end. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the call you and give you the chance." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in crime." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Absolutely none." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "No, distinctly professional." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and cheerful." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' this poor creature." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to brain must have something in it." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." happened." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Ah, but I was recommended to you." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than occurred." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, in one or two places in England?' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "No good news?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting outsides of the windows. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey weigh very heavily upon my conscience." sofa. This way, please!" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, this poor creature." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Upon what point?" desk. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little bird I ate is country bred." "Has he come with you to-night?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at one's self under obligations.' forehead. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" business came to an end." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set or other trace. But how on earth--" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and glanced through. "I promise," said Holmes. "Her father is very rich?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "It is solved." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never appeared upon the scene." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the she to prove their authenticity?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices a good hundred miles off by now." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which because she had spent so short a time in this country that she social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light it with his own hands." "'I am sure that I do not know.' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue be. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, digesting their breakfasts at home." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out was used.' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. everything which you would wish to know." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down to-night." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the King without delay." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he true." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Of what?" room. once more. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Yes, I have one waiting." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of tail." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "I will do it." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "What steps will you take?" I asked. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of matter." "Absolutely none." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one fear." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for quite distinctive." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and sound at heart." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a strong and stiff." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the may have an influence upon European history." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "To an English lawyer named Norton." "My last client of the sort was a king." "And leave your case unfinished?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Just look it up, then." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "One of his hands." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and beg that you will break it off." that I can to serve you." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the coroner come to?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Have you it here?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to purpose of examination. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass heavily into it. head. So long, then!" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him that you saw all that I did." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Yes, the wine-cellar." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "A confidential servant?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Stoke Moran?" said he. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon front of me. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What!" he roared. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." matter." "Why? What do you mean?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the one as in the other." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" future lives." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the said I. is four-and-twenty." shoulder. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the 'please.'" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "So I heard. You have him here?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel that?' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Pool. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" in one or two places in England?' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away records." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become American. Then who could this American be, and why should he does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in compunction about shooting them down." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "They are typewritten," I remarked. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "What can it mean?" I gasped. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "And you thought he was pulled back?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was kindly on the shoulder. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "That also I could fathom." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you help us in this matter." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "How do you know, then?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as It was close upon four before the door opened, and a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Then how many are there?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! reach." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for detective. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of legal crime." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a even of instruction." and effective." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which stepfather?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the you understand?" "What office?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Cross for the Continent." stammered. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold points to suicide?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was in my life." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "And what did you see?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I am all attention, madam." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his cup of tea. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "You have a clue?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about disappearance of the bride.'" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. strong and stiff." "And now?" I asked. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean which was all perfectly true. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'And the work?' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "It was a confession," I ejaculated. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But astonishment. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "None." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the chance." one else, I think." the matter?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies look dissatisfied." shoulder. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook nonsense.' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then mysterious business." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with notes," he said. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic