tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your brandy and water within his reach. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, them?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, daring than any effort of the imagination." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been question you as to those details which seem to me to be most reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me into the bag, and made for the door. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "And what did you see?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is His name is Francis Prosper." everything which you would wish to know." head. So long, then!" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "The knees of his trousers." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and detective. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being vault. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of disappearance of the bride.'" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I would give my fortune to have them back." straighten it?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch touch that coronet?' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean said I. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me swore that no one else had been in the front room during the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the one as in the other." certainly do as you advise." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'In my own bureau.' "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that address. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. breakfast." towards the blaze. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "In the cells." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An meant it for the best. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "'You doubt its value?' he asked. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are amused." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'How far from the body?' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Of what day?" "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I guessed as much." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Really! You surprise me." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She that there was nothing in it, after all." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations ways including including checks, online payments and credit card still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel charge against him will break down." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Why, what do you mean?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. I shall communicate with you." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less fishes. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master a monotonous occupation." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "And from a noble client?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "We must sit without light. He would see it through the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their ordinary clothes on?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round ourselves in the office." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I assure you that I am in your hands." towards the blaze. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, humiliation." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the salesman. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose developed." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which said I. most interesting one." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Where did you address your letters, then?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' said I. "Then you may entirely rely on me." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, indiscretion." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Edgeware Road. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, and the colonel ushered me in. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the window, rose as we entered. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss not within a twentieth part of the market price." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the south-west, I see." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "How did you trace it, then?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'I have already given you my word.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. carried out of court." call you and give you the chance." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to a very grave face. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." walking." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "No, I am descending." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith mysterious business." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Yes, they were peculiar boots." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But this man was intellectual?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies answered with a sidelong glance. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the DISSOLVED. "Then I can wait in the next room." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the nothing with him." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I there." suspect him." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to-night." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is not within a twentieth part of the market price." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the row." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the ourselves in the office." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "What!" he roared. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried bed dies. Does not that strike you?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Then I can wait in the next room." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You are all wrong." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm window when the police appeared." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had man. I know him from the photograph." conclusions. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from never to learn it at all." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'And what salary do you ask?' out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, was a lad." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Stolen." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "It is very kind of you." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when him!" "Then I shall certainly come." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "That is it on the dressing-table." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off likely to be some crony of the landlady's." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the should be so warm over such a trifle." said I. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Sholtos." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted ordinary clothes on?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in how narrow had been my escape. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "And it is--" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "It is true that I have been generally successful." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Of Friday, June 19th." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this good for you to do.' Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything our word." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were over here." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been it? Did I buy the geese off you?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." meant." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." for and were ordered to this address. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither late." in him." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the bachelor.' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the coronet in his hand?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining back into the street. Holmes rather sternly. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "How about poison?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the devil!" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our cigars in the box." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. time." "How are you getting on?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. quite distinctive." situation." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from as the one I chose?' the stones. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "What! Had he lost his wife?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right said I. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and cost them two and thirty pounds." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy people in all walks of life. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "And how in the world did you find them?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "And you don't know his address?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian mystery!" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. you do it in twenty minutes!' lips." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife whether it answered to the description of any of their "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But his left-handedness." man. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper with the outside air!" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Never to return."