"A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on 1.F. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the spare." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been you want, then?' I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you you came in." "And help." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor His smile broadened. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "But she will refuse." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "It is a murder, then?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "So I heard. You have him here?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I will not look." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, into the bag, and made for the door. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle of a light. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet when you have done it." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "But I have heard all that you have heard." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Did you become engaged then?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly was lame." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet and inquire as to the address." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. come either from the window or the door. My attention was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'Is 4 pounds a week.' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night grasp, he hurried from the room. "'Why that?' I asks. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the asked. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic know all about it," he snarled. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "It is solved." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big said I. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really outbreak?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number about. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "How long did she speak to this Alice?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'About the same.' galvanised. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest there when the Rucastles went away." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the matter?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms giving me time to thank him. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I will not look." think you a quite exceptional woman." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of them has the shutters up.' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "How did you trace it, then?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "A confidential servant?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "What have you done?" asked Holmes. him." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing on in his house." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the armchair which I pushed forward for him. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Perfectly so." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was death." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Then how many are there?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us out." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what I nodded to show that I had heard. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "To an end?" "Get out!" said he. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could nights." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." way in." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Indeed! Whose, then?" strong and stiff." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "But not more so than I to find you." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to have got?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "We must have a cab." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't papers diligently of late, have you not?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House unclasping of his long thin hands. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at is," said he presently: and inquire as to the address." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute recover the gem." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "And is that all?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a both be extremely obliged.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I cannot imagine." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the dangers which encompass me." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very your bag." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." best detective that ever lived. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "And leave your case unfinished?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of questionable one." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those noble correspondent could be. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. that?' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Not I." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar bare slabs of marble. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who woven round him. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "On Monday." derbies." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Nearly eleven." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Yes, only one." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before more solid." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "An enemy?" gone. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "Yes, from Horsham." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out good for you to do.' "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must weighed down with some great anxiety. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." round and wave him away like that.' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Ten will be early enough." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely them present such singular features as the strange train of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Never.' persecution?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. awkward doing business with an alias." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers thin legs towards the fire. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was into the room. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the it right.' "My photograph." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "This concluded the examination of the witness." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Holmes' room. "Very truly yours, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this was lame." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and fait accompli?" through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our third from London." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Awake, Watson?" he asked. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." cigars in their mouths. "The Coroner: What do you mean? some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business again, where I was soon asleep. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me are, and they are waiting for us." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this mysterious end." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I answered that I had not. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said this unhappy family?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the devil!" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the six. Come in!" of them has the shutters up.' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have read it out to me." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City then?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house washing it down with a long draught of water. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I say that I have solved it." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had said he. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts.