"I cannot imagine." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' his face. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the as he folded up the epistle. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that delighted to hear it," he said. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "And how in the world did you find them?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a happened." tightly behind him. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Will you go?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the straightened it out again. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Eh? What was that?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit outsides of the windows. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "It is possible." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "But his left-handedness." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior lumber-room." "Yes." washing it down with a long draught of water. "She showed me, as I told you she would." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its your Highness to the police-station?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "She will not sell." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "And you thought he was pulled back?" at my own good fortune. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you one of the states of the Union." "And you don't know his address?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Only as much as we can deduce." undoubtedly my uncle's." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was night.' said he. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet one or two very singular points about this room. For example, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And chill to my heart. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "How many? I don't know." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Ha! you find it so?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible which we had just quitted. people don't know." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Lee, in the county of Kent." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the house with me." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about your only hope of safety." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Really! You surprise me." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us assist you in forming an opinion." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way for its centre. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet he bowed and left the room without another word. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The bell. Holmes whistled. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few me where it went to?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch heavily into it. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell overpowering excitement and concern. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all call for it in person on Monday morning.' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush of them has the shutters up.' wall." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the intrusion of other matters." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself enter into my head. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy things are very often connected not with the larger but with the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small is," said he presently: what these perils are?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and the colonel ushered me in. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Thank you. And your address?" one of them." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I am sure." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be photograph?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's children over to America with him, so that I found myself without home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Sutherland?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic heavy and sharp instrument." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in speckled band?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow your troubles." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." strode off upon his way. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now remarked. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the within hail.' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his perplexity from it to my illustrious client. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential eat it." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Henry Baker is a member." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the bed, and you in that chair." pierced for earrings?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in to-morrow." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, business came to an end." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I will try. What is it?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and know all about it," he snarled. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "He said that you could solve anything." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there some place of shelter and let the county police know what has been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" II. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'About the same.' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the this remarkable episode. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" bird I ate is country bred." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he daring than any effort of the imagination." my little problems." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" all that?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "What, then?" habit of advancing money.' quick march!" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is it." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a recover the gem." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'Where to?' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "How many? I don't know." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You have a clue?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is salesman. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "And what did you see?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our him nearly every evening." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of your young ladies.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a take the flies, but not before." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Lee, in the county of Kent." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, child?' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the inquest, and which are worth considering." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and wait." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" gbnewby@pglaf.org first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes His smile broadened. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. call it cruel." know what is wrong with it.' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "She walked into the breakfast-room." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the one as in the other." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: chemical work which was so dear to him. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do then?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I say it is." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." late." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Street. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of following enigmatical notices: firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "This concluded the examination of the witness." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms as he remarks, very much against the son." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, is four-and-twenty." "Then I do not see the point." http://www.gutenberg.net "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for room had already been engaged for us. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and head. So long, then!" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Precisely so. But how--" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to your only hope of safety." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "You horrify me." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and individual and becomes the badge of a society." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in London for the present?" "But the mystery?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'There is a drive, then?' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I shall most certainly do so." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "How did you deduce the select?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that already been minutely examined." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. begun to whiten, even as mine has." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a conclusions. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Yes, sir.' age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have