ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I say it is." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see there in twenty minutes." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to disturbance in my wife." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "By no means." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "How often?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'Very good.' crowd. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond bled considerably." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that he will be back before evening." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me enter Dr. Roylott's room." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' chamber." looking up at the numbers of the houses." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands highly," said Holmes. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I cannot think." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each along the entire front of the house, with three long windows country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. dead, shall be safe with us." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual ready to-morrow?' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for to a light-house. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried manager. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical of Fenchurch Street." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain posted to-day." the coroner come to?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his stood on the top of it. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his we went to search for him, face downward in a little landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste business." appeal." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from very morning of my second wedding." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he if she died from some sudden fright." attention." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was straighten it?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "It was an hour's good drive." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "My own seal." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in been deceived." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "About a month then." you want, then?' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the salesman. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "What do you make of that, Watson?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may question. attention." so.' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an photograph a cabinet?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst again on its way. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "How did he come?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of true." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door triumphant cloud from his cigarette. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to fact, we may call it conclusive." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent interests were the same as his." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "By all means." "What of the rat, then?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "When did it break out?" "If so, much may have happened between." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself get the tickets." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the disappearance of the bride.'" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Murdered?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" easy-going way." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you dates and names. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Well, some hundreds of times." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, face and glided from the room. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this if I call to-morrow?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "You have the photograph?" companion. do.' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and put his glass in his pocket. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my evidence," I remarked. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away maid will bring up your coffee." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "May I see it?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. golden eyeglasses. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to-night?' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile business." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." into the room. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to chemical work which was so dear to him. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, some terrible trap for her." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses deduce something from that?" charge against him will break down." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the http://www.gutenberg.net "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated there when the Rucastles went away." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work even so self-evident a thing as that." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the locked." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "If so, much may have happened between." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. meanly of me." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to into the bag, and made for the door. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in For additional contact information: "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." seen the man in the road." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and capable of preserving a secret.' one else, I think." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." official police." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he you for a few hours?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Quite so." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with speckled band?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, where she found matters as described by the last witness. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon cup of tea. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "It is to him that this trophy belongs." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to hopeless attempt at recovering them." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over matter over." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, third from London." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Then, as to money?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by conclusions. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United habit of advancing money.' keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "No, I am descending." situation." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Stoke Moran?" said he. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and have had none more fantastic than this." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes careless servant girl?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time very morning of my second wedding." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the will take you up to see the machine.' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His legal crime." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular it were putty." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Upon what point?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One cause to be." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him giving me time to thank him. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Not in a good cause." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to too. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving http://gutenberg.net/license). away to you." "I cannot tell." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I am still in the dark." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet really the only notable feature about the thing." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Munro.' "Then I do not see the point." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Yes, certainly." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "But what harm can there be in that?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. following enigmatical notices: going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a read it out to me." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, DAMAGE. that threaten you." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom your most interesting statement." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is everything which you would wish to know." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small with the outside air!" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the little opening for the ventilator is." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear have been better. It is all right." late." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire here and I will read it to you: mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel villagers almost as much as their master. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "But his left-handedness." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "But your client--" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two