been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Then I can wait in the next room." and the church but not where the lady lived." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this very old mansion. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "And now?" I asked. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'I have heard so.' "Precisely so. But how--" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Certainly." "What office?" I nodded to show that I had heard. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in be best to do. "Did you observe the colour?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction villagers almost as much as their master. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "What do you mean?" place of silver." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Quite so. She has her freedom." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child extraordinary contortions. closely." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "You have a clue?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I don't believe it." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no country, and eventually married, without anyone having a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "But how will you look?" "Did you become engaged then?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Gutenberg-tm License. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the have got?" detained." "And when will you call?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, written. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She good-night and bustled off upon her way. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, McCarthy." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to written, and locked the door of the office after me. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in presented more singular features than that which was associated McCarthy's innocence. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I know where it is." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. you." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "It is true that I have been generally successful." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "The landlord of the Alpha." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a fear." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." interested in these little problems, and since you are good She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, writing, and yet I know it well." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very you found me to-night--and running through the front room she guilty parties." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said seen the man in the road." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes, certainly." take the flies, but not before." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some question you as to those details which seem to me to be most how narrow had been my escape. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "You are hungry," I remarked. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "How on earth--" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said up this clue while it is still hot." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the that I am arrested." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some results." of it with the greatest attention. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled narrative." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Not I." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "It is a murder, then?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "That was it, sir." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. enough to aid us in our search." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I strength of mind to control. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, girl said." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the criminal. We have already had experience of such." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a green of the new foliage. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was some city in a dream. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a when you have done it." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. shoulder; "he's all right." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I am still in the dark." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "You were travelling in the States?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Whose house is it?" companion. cheerful." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "I came to find a friend." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Then I can wait in the next room." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Frequently." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Where did he live, then?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every have had none more fantastic than this." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "By train from Waterloo." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Will you go?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "And now?" He raised his hand. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "You have but to name it." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "And your mother is alive?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Then how many are there?" in his power. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had other lovers by making love himself." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to hour." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "When did she vanish, then?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the My friend smiled. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Your French gold?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. wedding?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It papers on the sundial.'" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "I will not look." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "What! You do not mean bodies?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "But we can't all be." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "And it is--" was used.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, evidence," I remarked. telegram would bring me down to your help." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "It was." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an seven miles from Eyford Station.' cigars in the box." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "But I am all in the dark." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker train.' kindly on the shoulder. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. it." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Where, indeed?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord of the vacancies.' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried your Highness to the police-station?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "How about poison?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "No more words. Get out!" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched peculiar to him. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Ten will be early enough." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about presented more singular features than that which was associated he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't be.' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a away to you." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a morning." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are During two years I have had three consultations and one small houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, even of instruction." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was are, I think, all that we need." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than see me here to avoid scandal." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a him." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "We were both in the photograph." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I am to be neutral?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the conceal it?" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that kindly on the shoulder. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I soul! here is her carriage at the door." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny burst into a hearty fit of laughter. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing go--none." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It is a murder, then?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that appeal." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Dirty?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my power." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "I am in hopes that she does." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Of Friday, June 19th." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "In heaven's name, what for?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time touch that coronet?' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he himself in a perplexing position. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at respectable self." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "You have but to name it." which it had come upon my father." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You forget that I know nothing about it." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where there in twenty minutes." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it that threaten you." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Of what?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found main points of my analysis." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. out of this horrible affair." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." fasten all the windows?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Not in a good cause." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'Yes, sir.' "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes