already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to giving me time to thank him. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' woman." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and you understand?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite as noiselessly as she had come. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. long narrative. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in darkness. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the mystery!" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'Ten to two.' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before was shining brightly. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know business at Coburg Square is serious." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'Never,' said I. there!' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Then how many are there?" directors, with the result that you have seen." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "In which, sir?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "But you have hopes?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and over here." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Then I shall certainly come." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Can I be of assistance?" even of instruction." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the King without delay." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "How long did she speak to this Alice?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in that, and I came down." in a friendly supper." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I don't say that. Perhaps." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It without a word or a look. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." directly by questioning you." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these charge against him will break down." was used.' "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Why did you beat the pavement?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an that you can jump it.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his one of them." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the south-west, I see." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always guilty parties." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'Very good.' had picked up in the wood. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which direction." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a dead, shall be safe with us." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from said Mr. Holder. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and License. You must require such a user to return or vanished into the darkness. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Then I am your man." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was him to be an active member of the medical profession." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, giving me time to thank him. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Can I be of assistance?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Nothing?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the with you?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San The King stared at him in amazement. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Texas, I think." "No bad?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Yes." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Project Gutenberg-tm works. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and him to be an active member of the medical profession." all-comprehensive glances. the room while you explain this matter?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's it right.' fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to over part of the map. "What do you read?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little he bowed and left the room without another word. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Mrs. Toller serenely. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the window, rose as we entered. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" passage and a tap at the door. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. answered with a sidelong glance. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the of this gang." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of in my life." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. it." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "What is it?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you article?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Perfectly so." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and awaited us upon the table. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I get her out of the way." it." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Was she in good spirits?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the loss of it. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'And the work?' of his shoulders. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to at a side door. "So I heard. You have him here?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I colonel looking down at me. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. of." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Sholtos." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the roots. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you confronted him. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a standing smiling on the door-step. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Oh, fresh and glossy." London for the present?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the appeal." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and round and wave him away like that.' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "It came here." behind me. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to possible that we could bring him back to her? which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I never have." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "But I am all in the dark." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "On your arm?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "One?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Pray do so." charged with?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy locked." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." some terrible trap for her." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" is a common subject for conversation. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from of receipt of the work. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; could not account in any way for the presence of the missing de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case new acquaintance to Baker Street. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage maid will bring up your coffee." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one have been better. It is all right." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove to-night?" I asked. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Ample." "Of what?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a closing the door. "Your French gold?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Yes." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a writing, and yet I know it well." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and again, where I was soon asleep. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "9th. McCauley cleared. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, thin legs towards the fire. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "But what harm can there be in that?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Stoke Moran?" said he. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed orange pips. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I answered that I had not. "No, my brougham is waiting." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "But she will refuse." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said that I can to serve you." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no in darkness. better in every way that they should make their position a little circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the weary and pale-looking. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a ordinary clothes on?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "So I heard. You have him here?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "He is dead," cried several voices. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the this poor creature." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the page at http://pglaf.org in my life." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his States. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which a little more before I quite committed myself. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." it." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Then what has happened to him?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how matter." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "No more words. Get out!" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from had a long day." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than orange pips.