is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I should be immensely obliged to you." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Did he not advertise?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Do you know him?" legal crime." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and how narrow had been my escape. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a into the bag, and made for the door. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Leadenhall Street--and--" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will his knees, staring into the fire. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'And the work?' "In heaven's name, what for?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my my friend's incisive reasoning. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "But I have heard all that you have heard." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or several quiet little villages up there." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Mrs. Toller serenely. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "'Certainly,' I answered. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Where, then?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was him to go away.' moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that key turn in the lock." "But his left-handedness." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "No." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that new duties?' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "There are none." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Certainly." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "But of what society?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots returning from some small jollification and was making his way prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs shoulder; "he's all right." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "A greater distance to travel." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of it. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Thank you. And your address?" "We have tried and failed." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. entirely lost his self-respect." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "None." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To on in his house." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Texas, I think." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather at once, for I have only half an hour." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I would pay ten." "How did that help you?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, friend's singular character. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Where did he live, then?" a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so in this note: by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Precisely so. But how--" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Then you may be so with me." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the affair. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when dead, shall be safe with us." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in said Mr. Holder. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Then I shall certainly come." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "How often?" "Then I can wait in the next room." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away views." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Well, some hundreds of times." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, without a word or a look. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Dark enough and sinister enough." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do happened." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace strength." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening once more for Briony Lodge. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. purpose of examination. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know a room. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" handed it to him. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in in a very precise fashion." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "When did it break out?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I astonishment. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Pray do so." felt?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. this man was intellectual?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of the stable lane now." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something round with crates and massive boxes. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "That is not always so easy." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Deserted you?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque ready to-morrow?' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel tell me that you intended to go into harness." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' papers on the sundial.'" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. have had none more fantastic than this." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! directors have had misgivings upon the subject." to change my dress. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his happened." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which south, for the country is more deserted there." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That you in yours." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of had this final quarrel? hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I off." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I cannot imagine." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, matter." sofa. This way, please!" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. bonnet, and went out." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and annoyance, but no jest. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." whereabouts. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I said I. hard-headed British jury." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon what I may call a really hard day's work." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account is acting for the best. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with you." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his populous neighbourhood." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "And you thought he was pulled back?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into intimate personal affairs in this public manner." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. tension within him. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his this man was intellectual?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. thin legs towards the fire. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "How often?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Stolen!' he cried. "I have a cab outside." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Mrs. Toller serenely. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, danger is over." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm there has been an enclosure here!" "Indeed! Whose, then?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It is a murder, then?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "May I see it?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my business." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily had died away into the silence from which it rose. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an present." the bottom.' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery rat could hardly pass through." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "And when will you call?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "And you don't know his address?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in ventilator." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done any." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in or in danger--" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and lectures into a series of tales." instituted." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "And the cigar-holder?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the wedding?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." brain must have something in it." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "And for present expenses?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" new duties?' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Precisely so. But how--"