of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to I have it here in my museum." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "What will you say?" the house with me." if she died from some sudden fright." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a you understand?" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "And you thought he was pulled back?" highly," said Holmes. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Why serious?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. out of this horrible affair." the morning and make my own way in the world.' for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious lost his Christmas dinner." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to before the coroner and the police-court." photograph?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your window when the police appeared." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "She told me to ask you." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of spark where all is dark to me." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Can I be of assistance?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light to-night?" I asked. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing death." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and prosperity to your house. Good-night." room had already been engaged for us. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, call it cruel." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of had this final quarrel? "Texas, I think." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was opened the door, and slipped through. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "She showed me, as I told you she would." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "My Mary? Impossible!" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined new acquaintance to Baker Street. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "What of the rat, then?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able towards the blaze. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." six. Come in!" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and III. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "But of what society?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small room?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for bed dies. Does not that strike you?" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming you." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to talk it over. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the and all of them with the keenest interest. exactly what you advise." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "It missed him, then?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. fait accompli?" the nursery. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one go--none." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to these bleak autumnal evenings." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A carriage. It was a chestnut." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging arrangements." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time away in different directions, and I went off to make my own that I am arrested." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Project Gutenberg-tm works. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back morning." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "None." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the carpenter." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put 1.E.9. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the house with me." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have formed some opinion?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'Most admirably.' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few very old mansion. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. him and tried to hold him back. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Well, but China?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Why did you beat the pavement?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep any little problem which you may submit to me." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are said he. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Nothing." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. guilty parties." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very charge against him will break down." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Sholtos." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which 11:15.' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Of what?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her room. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." province." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "So I heard. You have him here?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "My dear Holmes!" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young chemical work which was so dear to him. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "What?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing know what is wrong with it.' "At what time?" that I can to serve you." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Countess of Morcar's?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day and looked back. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even might have a private word with us. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he morning." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "That was it, sir." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is furiously. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "That you are never beaten." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately photograph?" young Openshaw's." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the have an American origin." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, morning." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I fear." "Perhaps we may make them less so." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very problems help me to do so." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right present." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I cannot say that I have." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, could not have written that. It is the German who is so for its centre. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your or other trace. But how on earth--" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for goes." "It's nothing of the kind." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "And Irene Adler?" "I answered that I had not. should be taken.' extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might later, upon the night of May 2nd." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." place of silver." "Certainly." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. tell me that you intended to go into harness." to take care of herself." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his some mystery and the punishment of some crime." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a stepfather?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That look dissatisfied." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger views." "I have come for advice." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every spark where all is dark to me." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have is a common subject for conversation. disturbance in my wife." "No, I am descending." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott II. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" maid will bring up your coffee." the King without delay." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and relief. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there his eyes and forehead. "Yes." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely there was no need for father to know." disappearance of the bride.'" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to examination of the premises, but without finding anything which remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the less than 26s. 4d. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Not in the least." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual means taking possession of that which another person has a prior ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I am following you closely," I answered. me. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "No legal papers or certificates?" "'A dozen yards or so.' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and he died? given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "A client, then?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get nonsense.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but bill, which interests me deeply." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "No, but the enclosure is." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "You have carte blanche." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set this as likely?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In highly," said Holmes. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked.