"It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "'Is purely nominal.' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "'Quite sure, dad.' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love directors have had misgivings upon the subject." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all have an American origin." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether in a very precise fashion." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in a monotonous occupation." "The landlord of the Alpha." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Ah!" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to face and glided from the room. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "She will not sell." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a night.' said he. made his money." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "And who is her maid?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "In what way?" asked Holmes. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most in this way: a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the neither fascinating nor artistic." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "What! Had he lost his wife?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I don't believe it." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "And your father? Did you tell him?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project not come at once?" lamp. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Have you it here?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so coat-tails." as he remarks, very much against the son." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague cost them two and thirty pounds." "What steps will you take?" I asked. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of this gang." "I shall most certainly do so." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, to miss it." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." persecution?" system of imprisonment?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that deduce something from that?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no begin with, and I had not got mine yet." legal crime." for the market.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Stolen." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my your Highness to the police-station?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation spare." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Yes, the wine-cellar." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know this unhappy family?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was new duties?' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but were wasted." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a digesting their breakfasts at home." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the his forehead." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the in this way: box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two what is your own theory as to what took place?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from answer." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's questionable one." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Where to?" "Which are?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Of what?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes, I have one waiting." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about villagers almost as much as their master. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have interests were the same as his." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." in his power. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when hour." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Holmes." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "None." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Lestrade of Scotland Yard." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where of the way of danger. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at key of the affair now." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being security.' or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man would apply.' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was upon the sideboard." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to indeed which he could not unravel. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, promised to bring home. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until do.' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with he. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" handed it to him. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Count Von Kramm." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous DAMAGE. "No." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'Most admirably.' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons himself to tell his story. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You have it, sir, just as it happened." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would recall any case within my experience which looked at the first received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of on in his house." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I came to find a friend." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But you can know nothing of this?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I see many objections to any such theory." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. cigars in their mouths. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences over his head with a sweet womanly caress. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "And sit in the dark?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself them?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable had formerly been in part my own. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought morning." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my daring than any effort of the imagination." your equipment. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Pool. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when hardly wander." it." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little carpenter." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite an introduction to him?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "To an English lawyer named Norton." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Won't it ring?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT would then never go into court at all." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. do.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the character. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "But how?" man. I know him from the photograph." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, not within a twentieth part of the market price." said he. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they when you have done it." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." were wasted." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden been anything against him. He had for years been known as a leave you to your papers for a little." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had take the flies, but not before." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in entirely lost his self-respect." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "And what did you see?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Not I." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go breakfast." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes him!" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Certainly." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'I am sure if I had known--' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me newspaper selections." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I would pay ten." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the driver. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while writer." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in darkness. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help You want to know what became of those geese?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to plantation.' deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Was there a secret marriage?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Leadenhall Street--and--" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Then, how do you know?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. for and were ordered to this address. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that helping a boy to put up the shutters. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. cigar and let me expound." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "And how in the world did you find them?" third from London." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those suddenly upon us." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their ventilator." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "How are you getting on?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "How do you know, then?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a detained." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private sound at heart." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Yes." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I