alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon you do it in twenty minutes!' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "It came here." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had generous with you in money matters.' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had you." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "None." presume?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing upon an income of about 60 pounds." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. it." fattened it expressly for you.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon asked with his eyes open. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and best detective that ever lived. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the inner apartment." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond she used." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'Why that?' I asks. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying words came to my lips. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "How often?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the cheerful." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the see me here to avoid scandal." that, and I came down." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "No. What a strange idea!" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "I am to be neutral?" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I assure you that I am in your hands." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She gone. "My Mary? Impossible!" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Frequently." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." upon the sideboard." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she hands. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few as noiselessly as she had come. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing fasten all the windows?" and I shall be with you presently." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "No bad?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Project Gutenberg-tm works. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. fluttered off among the others. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious papers on the sundial.'" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on you give your casting vote to?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may your troubles." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, a room. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for laugh and put his lips to my ear. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, secret." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice that I can to serve you." there when the Rucastles went away." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Yes." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Oh, yes, easily." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the roots. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Married! When?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are look upon these things in a different way." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm annoyance, but no jest. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you father's place of business?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He upon the shelf for the interim." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry laugh and put his lips to my ear. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my a very grave face. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his acted in my house last night?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." cigars in the box." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is nothing with him." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Have you good authority for what you say?" in a friendly supper." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my to-morrow." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and goes." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Her father is very rich?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the coronet in his hands?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "And why in hopes?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies events, Mr. Windibank!" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "By train from Waterloo." "Have you it here?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more fluttered off among the others. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, fatally injured? call you and give you the chance." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" to some other building. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which back alive. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." I am not easy in my mind about them." "Very much so." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Look there!" said he. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless in him." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and I shall be with you presently." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in locked." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Oh, fresh and glossy." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Nothing?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she call you and give you the chance." "What can it mean?" I gasped. your only hope of safety." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began this man was intellectual?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day helping a boy to put up the shutters. humiliation." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "10th. John Swain cleared. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and inquire as to the address." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Heh?' how narrow had been my escape. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue spare." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "But what will you do?" "I have a cab outside." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "But it has twice been burgled." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and figure." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling drawing your inferences." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "I am to be neutral?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this such person." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "You have the photograph?" "'Certainly not.' "Yes, it would be as well." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "What!" he roared. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." disappearance of the bride.'" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the to take care of herself." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "You are certainly joking, Holmes." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Arthur Conan Doyle rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to way in everything. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not my friend's incisive reasoning. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" kindly on the shoulder. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'It is locked up,' I answered. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But meant it for the best. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" pierced for earrings?" whole matter to your consideration." best detective that ever lived. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "It is true that I have been generally successful." the inquest, and which are worth considering." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so one of them." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing unprofitable." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'I shall certainly be there.' squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "The knees of his trousers." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be status with the IRS. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more ordinary clothes on?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's secret." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Who was the criminal, then?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you thought that she would have been so carried away." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. all that?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace The King stared at him in amazement. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Nothing?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will crackling voice. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the inner apartment." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, really the only notable feature about the thing." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With over his head with a sweet womanly caress. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An held up the lantern and gazed about him. "There are none." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Seven!" I answered. you." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the side-table." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." breakfast?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I shall be delighted." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "He said too much." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. have got?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him