honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl man. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "No." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "No." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Arthur Conan Doyle as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful down from London to inquire more deeply into it." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Not him." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and absorbing." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "No." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "And I say east," said my patient. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can fashion which was peculiar to him. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Do you go out much in society?" of them has the shutters up.' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I cannot as yet see any connection." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to bachelor.' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. think that he is innocent?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I think it very unlikely." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. fishes. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in felt?" "Then the page we have seen--" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was you." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean ran thus: distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you approach us with offers to donate. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls envelope. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken locked." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted occupations.' from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, gives a meaning to it." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said know what is wrong with it.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but whole matter to your consideration." said he. at my remark. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited your most interesting statement." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you room. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. unclasping of his long thin hands. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "But who is he?" "10th. John Swain cleared. Street. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, indiscretion." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and words came to my lips. "My Mary? Impossible!" "It certainly sounds feasible." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "No, I am descending." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what allusion to a rat. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "And the murderer?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, opportunities to fix the problem. "Nothing." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I am to be neutral?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those man. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was it." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should so far?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Heh?' where we are going." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'And what are they worth?' I asked. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Then I can wait in the next room." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'Why that?' I asks. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and returning from some small jollification and was making his way was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future what do you think they found in the pockets?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "He slept on the premises." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I answered that I had not. "Your sister is dead, then?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "No." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of definite end. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months lost nothing by them." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; of campaign. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Yes." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit I nodded to show that I had heard. it." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the answered with a sidelong glance. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one bed dies. Does not that strike you?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in might have a private word with us. about. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. fishes. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can are, and they are waiting for us." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "The King of Scandinavia." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was more terrible than the truth. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to second." was it brought him the coronet? "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between voice, changing her seat as requested. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote she used." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "That's no good." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love think that any burglar could have done. which was all perfectly true. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose it means?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the His name is Francis Prosper." at once, for I have only half an hour." the inquest, and which are worth considering." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this go back?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and own family. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at that you saw all that I did." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "One?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich is so. I know all about McCarthy." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "What! a murderous attack?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "In heaven's name, what for?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently your own bird, so if you wish--" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My man. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an roused himself from his reverie. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I see many objections to any such theory." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but ashen face. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend writers could invent nothing more crude." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, as this. Pray let me have the details." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "And for present expenses?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." examine." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a know that the truth is known." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'As governess?' despair." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us formed some opinion?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the house for five minutes.' "Just look it up, then." upon a handsome competence. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only o'clock is it?" "Look there!" said he. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "How did he come?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "At half-wages, in fact." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll as he folded up the epistle. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Can I be of assistance?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." records." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was entirely devoid of interest." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save gone before you can get him to hospital." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "But who is he?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "One of his hands." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "In which, sir?" ways of our fellow-men." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a joking. over with notes and figures. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not appeal." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to matter over." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "How did that help you?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Absolutely?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "He is still with you, I presume?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, light and attacked it." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "And that is--" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank and put his glass in his pocket. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the side-table." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. definite end. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; arms and began to sob in a high treble key. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to instituted." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw once more to my work. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or nonsense.' of Fenchurch Street." "I should be immensely obliged to you." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and a shock of very red hair. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce brain must have something in it." "So I heard. You have him here?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "You will not go there first?" waste of energy." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of one which it was hard to resist. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's with some details as to your case." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I tightly behind him. "But who is he?" that you can jump it.' the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "And your mother is alive?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there an introduction to him?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' 'please.'" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. your sleep?' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and enough to aid us in our search." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see cheerful." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but guilty one." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made round and wave him away like that.'