"But the letter had also a greater distance to come." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may morning." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have bird of prey. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Why, it's a dummy," said he. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not in your London, you will know that the office of the company is glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one himself to tell his story. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'Yes.' station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Who by?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'And what salary do you ask?' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "VIOLET HUNTER." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'Ample.' fear." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "The rest you will leave in our hands." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "And that is--" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a again." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Watson," he said cordially. had a long day." Foundation the inner apartment." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "What do you make of that, Watson?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Leadenhall Street--and--" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not several quiet little villages up there." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. generous with you in money matters.' populous neighbourhood." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, behind me. "I fear not." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. there!' "You think so, too?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and look upon these things in a different way." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose she has been waylaid. There has been no result." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I say it is." Holmes. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here empty. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "And your father? Did you tell him?" Chief Executive and Director complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "What! Had he lost his wife?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "It is to him that this trophy belongs." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." she used." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly I shall continue with my miserable story. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I present." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was for its centre. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the showing my impatience. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And help." "Was he the only applicant?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Texas, I think." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there late." letters?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the throat." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it there is a decided draught." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son for securing the situation." a monotonous occupation." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Sholtos." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man coat-tails." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting dramatic, in fact." crime. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. cigars in their mouths. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I pressing in one house as in another. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Does that suggest anything?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I have solved it." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the them present such singular features as the strange train of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I say it is." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to where he stood hid behind the curtain. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Again Holmes raved in the air. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, outside. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I so far?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his were wasted." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the has little to do with my story." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance gone. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Yes." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an matter." footfalls from the street. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present upon an income of about 60 pounds." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning bed dies. Does not that strike you?" back alive. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'Which dealer's?' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to away to you." beg that you will break it off." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "No, distinctly professional." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. manager. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you depend upon my doing so.' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, I am not easy in my mind about them." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Holmes' face clouded over. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my obstinate." Arthur Conan Doyle sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I am about to be married." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst grasp, he hurried from the room. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been hereditary King of Bohemia." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. upon a handsome competence. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of meant it for the best. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter wedding?" was a loud and authoritative tap. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "What will you do, then?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very electronic works attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had copied or distributed: trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even again on its way. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Holmes." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Was he the only applicant?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "No legal papers or certificates?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and manager. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the fattened it expressly for you.' "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Because he was handy and would come cheap." exactly what you advise." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, appointment with me for six o'clock?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What excitement. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid anything to do with the matter?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "In heaven's name, what for?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Dark enough and sinister enough." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we as yours." me. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "She will not sell." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Holmes. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, south, for the country is more deserted there." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his with you alone." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "And that is--" hopeless attempt at recovering them." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout flock.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "No." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and to tackle the facts." "'How far from the body?' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I cannot tell." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It in your London, you will know that the office of the company is We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "But his lameness?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I arrested. You then--" "And what did you see?" second window is the one that I jumped from." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I cannot tell." window when the police appeared." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to whatever might befall. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "That was it, sir." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I posted to-day." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "The knees of his trousers." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well,