very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I never have." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. to you." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "And I say east," said my patient. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert she used." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the bell. Holmes whistled. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Certainly." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed wedding?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out that?' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Then, as to money?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as writer." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert tightly behind him. bachelor.' Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it reach." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Why did you beat the pavement?" disappearance of these gems?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until ago." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I shall continue with my miserable story. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it emerged. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'Most admirably.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "So I heard. You have him here?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an if I call to-morrow?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from use an arc-and-compass breastpin." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a least a fellow-countryman. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away where she found matters as described by the last witness. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a during that time.' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I seem to you to be relevant or not." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," child?' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the tapping his fingers upon the table. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found III. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the with some details as to your case." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Seven!" I answered. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Well, it is a possible supposition." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "This concluded the examination of the witness." the loss of it. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "And from a noble client?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "No good news?" "From his hat?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, absorbing." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, as the one I chose?' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the coronet in his hands?" amused." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Of what?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and looked back. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest at my own good fortune. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed clanging. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Nearly eleven." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, she to prove their authenticity?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "It is true that I have been generally successful." row." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and directors, with the result that you have seen." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual despaired of." delirious. lectures into a series of tales." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter outsides of the windows. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not individual and becomes the badge of a society." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the undoubtedly my uncle's." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." purpose of examination. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the 'please.'" father's place of business?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "And I." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the cost them two and thirty pounds." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but tell me that you intended to go into harness." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and effective." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the this poor creature." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have too. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' correct than the official force." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that fasten all the windows?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an returned to France?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others we went to search for him, face downward in a little turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, stood on the top of it. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I papers." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son knowledge of the world." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "I never have." "No." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm skylight. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on interested in these little problems, and since you are good floor. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady most important business. It is probable that he will be away all instituted." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger will he say when he returns?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "What shall I do?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their invisible to me," I remarked. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What individual and becomes the badge of a society." ways of our fellow-men." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "What will you say?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the window, rose as we entered. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "What will you say?" "'A dozen yards or so.' extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Has he come with you to-night?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He it. were unconscious?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "This concluded the examination of the witness." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs distance from the station, and there we found the young lady himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Did you become engaged then?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence before, for it was considerably after midnight. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more down from London to inquire more deeply into it." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of my friend's incisive reasoning. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the King without delay." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off good-night and bustled off upon her way. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our that, and I came down." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Just look it up, then." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin stepfather?" late!' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key purpose of examination. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "The King of Scandinavia." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point one of them." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Yes, that is the Crown." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his asked. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" was a lad." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her examination of the premises, but without finding anything which wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of this man was intellectual?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that look upon these things in a different way." enter into my head. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and breakfast." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "And you can do nothing until then?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Nothing?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced what I may call a really hard day's work." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the were wasted." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "It is no ordinary one." "And what did you learn from him?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman