but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "But how?" reach." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the window, rose as we entered. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' danger is over." sparkled upon his finger. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very away in different directions, and I went off to make my own you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we definite end. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? society." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical breakfast." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. not within a twentieth part of the market price." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "But we can't all be." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the room while you explain this matter?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Not particularly." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the instincts rose up against that laugh. bonnet, and went out." and all of them with the keenest interest. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "But she will refuse." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, humiliation." coat-tails." "But it has twice been burgled." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "But who is he?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the room while you explain this matter?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly union?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the you in yours." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Certainly, madam." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Quite so." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must client, rising. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that cigar and let me expound." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came respectable self." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate but preventing her from injuring another. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but said he. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to I nodded to show that I had heard. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as case-book, which he consulted. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again gone. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking questioning and rather startled gaze. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I have it here in my museum." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Pope's Court, Fleet Street." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in fashion which was peculiar to him. "Very. But will he see it?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "What have you to say now?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very there were so many in the whole country as were brought together town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Eyford at 11:15.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. dates and names. round and wave him away like that.' at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the three of the beryls in it, was missing. one's self under obligations.' guilty one." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the drove away. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "No, my brougham is waiting." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. third from London." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. not personally threatened." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss lost his Christmas dinner." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." me." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "But his left-handedness." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? legal crime." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "In heaven's name, what for?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been them?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was villagers almost as much as their master. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "It was." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "But how?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I business." or other trace. But how on earth--" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on because she had spent so short a time in this country that she agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose ceremony." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Nothing." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his disappearance of these gems?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what appeared upon the scene." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "What do you mean?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to neither fascinating nor artistic." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and is so. I know all about McCarthy." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, leave you to your papers for a little." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but The summons was a brief and urgent one. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Imitated." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. lips." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "No, I am descending." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Holmes, the busybody!" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you very morning of my second wedding." "No." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting himself to tell his story. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest License. You must require such a user to return or habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a a room. key of the affair now." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white have accepted such a situation. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I see no marks." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence certainly not very gracious." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in anything to a woman, for she would have her way." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I never have." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "What have you to say now?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without brain must have something in it." and the whole place is in a blaze." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her train from Paddington which would bring you there at about of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there once more. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Holmes' thin, eager face. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is cigars in the box." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "On the contrary, this is the right side." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "But he might be a bachelor." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he imbecility!" he cried. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets matters immensely." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'A dozen yards or so.' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. had this final quarrel? "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the it." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave papers diligently of late, have you not?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that see me here to avoid scandal." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "ARAT," I read. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. get the tickets." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. beg that you will break it off." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and newspaper selections." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, States. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "What will you say?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'Is purely nominal.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'Yes, I promise.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a of the way of danger. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "But she will refuse." written. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight too. the running down." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all breakfast?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Where, then, is my wife?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, coat-tails." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, in his power. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch John Swain, of St. Augustine. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned shall not find me ungrateful." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards danger is over." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. miles off. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief all?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Was your sister dressed?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman your room." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a of receipt of the work. the matter." have I gained?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her once more to my work. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. do." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the