web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on is a common subject for conversation. The King stared at him in amazement. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" stood on the top of it. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds head. So long, then!" Again Holmes raved in the air. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at wall." are windows in it, of course?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "And you can do nothing until then?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That she used." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards said he, "my real name is James Ryder." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "We have tried and failed." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "But who is he?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address she used." "Pray do so." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "The murder was done with it." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with room. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And that is--" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after pity, because in other respects you would really have done very piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Can I be of assistance?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point are windows in it, of course?" "But what harm can there be in that?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His could go. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Yes, but only for you and me." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I have a cab outside." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his is so. I know all about McCarthy." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "When did it break out?" upon the shelf for the interim." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or questioning and rather startled gaze. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of had this final quarrel? brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'I have heard so.' the south-west, I see." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where do you make of it all?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Yes?" "No, but the enclosure is." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "By train from Waterloo." your billet.' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Nothing." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle one which it was hard to resist. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who this as likely?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious I am not easy in my mind about them." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may you?' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "No, distinctly professional." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I three fields round his house, and there he would take his From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "How are you getting on?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "The rest you will leave in our hands." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Upon what point?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "You heard nothing yourself last night?" is acting for the best. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Very truly yours, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens interests were the same as his." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew ourselves in the office." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest his eyes and forehead. "I cannot as yet see any connection." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "About a month then." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Clair, of Lee." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Very murderous indeed." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "'Is purely nominal.' VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some stammered. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary words came to my lips. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and and the whole place is in a blaze." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had any little problem which you may submit to me." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat returning from some small jollification and was making his way would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court the matter." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I never have." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his locked." clang of the bell. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his directors, with the result that you have seen." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Frequently." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "My last client of the sort was a king." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I directly by questioning you." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I goes." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as knowledge of the world." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Dirty?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "No." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "And leave your case unfinished?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "How can you tell that?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well it." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I cannot tell." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson new duties?' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' infinite languor in his face. them present such singular features as the strange train of "Have you her photograph?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "An accident, I presume?" eavesdroppers?' what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could visitors." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at recover the gem." one else, I think." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and fuss that is made over them." never came back." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon towards the blaze. in the hope of finding them." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." During two years I have had three consultations and one small that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept had this final quarrel? nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "How about poison?" followed. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "And you can do nothing until then?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "How did he come?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence his grey eyes. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Then you may entirely rely on me." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same in his hands." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was man. I know him from the photograph." "So I have heard." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in about. the matter?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your formed some opinion?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with conduct the inquiry." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a little adventures." key turn in the lock." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'What then?' I asked. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was death." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his a good hundred miles off by now." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of in darkness. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is God! What an exposure! What can I do?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and all of them with the keenest interest. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed waste of energy." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but back to my heart. "Seven!" I answered. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "He might." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of occurred." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever thin legs towards the fire. to have been novel and of interest." astonishment. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking said he. "No legal papers or certificates?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "You will not go there first?" bedroom door." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the so-precious time, but come!' not within a twentieth part of the market price." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Then I shall certainly come." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an true." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated started for the Temple to see my husband. instincts rose up against that laugh. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "No, but the enclosure is." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his key turn in the lock." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than that you saw all that I did." thirty. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded upon an income of about 60 pounds." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a wife's character?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'And the work?' I have it here in my museum." "I don't say that. Perhaps." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have sentimental considerations in the background which would induce hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Who by?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." get her out of the way." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if too. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything and I shall be with you presently." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Chief Executive and Director and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "To ruin me." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "10th. John Swain cleared. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "'What do you call purely nominal?' events, Mr. Windibank!" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a bled considerably." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the