"No, no, the mystery!" I cried. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Just look it up, then." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away dear old homesteads?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest both be extremely obliged.' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Tired-looking or fresh?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the warnings." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Deserted you?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Really! You surprise me." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Murdered?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my him and tried to hold him back. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall instincts rose up against that laugh. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All presume?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were upon the shelf for the interim." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless might help us?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. to Leatherhead. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. which are rolled in Rotterdam." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in society." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I am in hopes that she does." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. definite end. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your sleep?' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "She told me to ask you." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and residence of the great financier. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Really! You surprise me." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "You think that he is dead?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Absolutely none." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Witness: It was. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through along the entire front of the house, with three long windows minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular is now desirous of getting those letters back." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Will you bet, then?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of of your young ladies.' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I am about to be married." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "When did she vanish, then?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were your co-operation." hereditary King of Bohemia." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "On the contrary, this is the right side." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular minor matters until to-morrow." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his really the only notable feature about the thing." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and License. You must require such a user to return or what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's this as likely?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. way: by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "None." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other one else, I think." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the nothing with him." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you extraordinary contortions. who was a member of your goose club." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked green of the new foliage. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, indeed happy." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a and I shall be with you presently." "Entirely." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, was lame." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him vague figure huddled up in the darkness. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid http://www.gutenberg.net what do you think they found in the pockets?" "No good news?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in skylight. "Ah!" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say of." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary girl said." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Deserted you?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Not him." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Breckinridge is his name." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I charge against him will break down." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and I shall be with you presently." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know bore every mark of being an average commonplace British was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Yes, that is the Crown." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, strong reason behind." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the definite end. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "And sit in the dark?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon awkward doing business with an alias." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "No." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his back into the street. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to easy-going way." answered with a sidelong glance. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong been deceived." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having point in the dark hollow of his hand. you in your example." I shall continue with my miserable story. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Here?" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "One of the highest in England." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a purpose of examination. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon British peeress.'" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "And you thought he was pulled back?" "And how did you find out?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to shaken than I had ever seen him. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a them present such singular features as the strange train of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a nonsense.' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had call you and give you the chance." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "No." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. cup of tea. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, galvanised. make me his representative both with the servants and with the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what your billet.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I residence of the great financier. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Holmes." cigar and let me expound." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my second." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit everything which you would wish to know." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous someone who had been in Australia." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Dirty?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was said he, "my real name is James Ryder." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Does that suggest anything?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "What can you not understand?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. up this clue while it is still hot." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his sofa. This way, please!" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting I. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into not personally threatened." certainly do as you advise." seven miles from Eyford Station.' been lifted and conveyed somewhere." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do confronted him. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Leadenhall Street--and--" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "By all means." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but points to suicide?" like gravel from a pit.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There will take you up to see the machine.' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Was there a secret marriage?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "No bad?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was very peculiar words of the dying woman?"