a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." hour?' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst frequently gained my first real insight into the character of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the devil!" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'Certainly not.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a DAMAGE. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the pictures, libraries, or plate. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have entirely lost his self-respect." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I guessed as much." article?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. emerged. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, relief. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Married! When?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could forecastle of an emigrant ship. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found galvanised. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "What shall I do?" you?' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt presented which may be striking and bizarre without being of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be families. Now for the facts. something of him before." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, wedding?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes confronted him. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Oh, fresh and glossy." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." for the market.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "What of the rat, then?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "But you can know nothing of this?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the someone who had been in Australia." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which pressing in one house as in another. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Was there a secret marriage?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the inquest, and which are worth considering." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is points to suicide?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Holmes' thin, eager face. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "And it is--" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger dramatic, in fact." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Sutherland. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not had formerly been in part my own. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for on in his house." o'clock is it?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to face and glided from the room. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "'You doubt its value?' he asked. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it absolutely follow my advice in every respect." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his in darkness. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten you." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the room while you explain this matter?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing wanted for ourselves." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its intimate personal affairs in this public manner." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton said he at last. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. gone. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "No, distinctly professional." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'Why that?' I asks. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I say that I have solved it." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and goes." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "But you can know nothing of this?" "But we can't all be." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which gone before you can get him to hospital." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. jewels which you have stolen?' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It certainly sounds feasible." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news developed." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And sit in the dark?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, redistribution. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the little opening for the ventilator is." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, is acting for the best. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, just called myself is not exactly my own." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "No, but the enclosure is." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Does that suggest anything?" IS chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I answered that I had not. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing said Mr. Holder. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is and effective." "Nothing?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." that I can to serve you." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "And how have you succeeded?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." instincts rose up against that laugh. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their case-book, which he consulted. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "But she will refuse." affection." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "When did it break out?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than From what you have told me I think that it is possible that commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would less than 26s. 4d. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "She told me to ask you." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we problems help me to do so." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. cigars in their mouths. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "You will not go there first?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." chance." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. humiliation." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn maiden herself was most instructive." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I cannot imagine." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of situation." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already there is a decided draught." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" closing the door. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. my former friend and companion. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), kind enough to tell me what I should do." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "What then?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the coronet in his hands?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been arrangements." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her redistribution. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Precisely." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the driver. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then John Swain, of St. Augustine. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out was keenly on my guard against him. Pope's Court. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross introspective fashion. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the feature." "You have carte blanche." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court fat-encircled eyes. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near think, you have already met." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Yes." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, pierced for earrings?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have direction." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "It must be recovered." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my suspect him." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Ample.' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a until night should bring an explanation. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her wall." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Absolutely?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty tied." charge against him will break down." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the on re-entering her father's house?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "What?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling at a side door. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was intimate personal affairs in this public manner." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it newspaper selections." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "The King of Scandinavia." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the one as in the other." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers strength of mind to control. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped maiden herself was most instructive." speckled band?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "An enemy?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Street. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to some water from a caraffe. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the nonsense.' me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "It's nothing of the kind." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking before the coroner and the police-court." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant hopeless attempt at recovering them." morning." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of pound a week." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the running down." was feeling which was the fattest.' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily.