that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the orange pips. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own yourselves in at night?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "It is very clear." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Yes." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." placed his cuttings. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle residence of the great financier. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Stolen, then." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set think that any burglar could have done. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in father's young wife. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the warnings." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Precisely." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." made him keep the appointment." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Married! When?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the coroner come to?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'I shall certainly be there.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to looking up at the numbers of the houses." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Look there!" said he. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Yes, but only for you and me." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock guilty parties." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under ways of our fellow-men." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet bird I ate is country bred." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad back alive. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of spare." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and roused himself from his reverie. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "You were travelling in the States?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while 'please.'" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the introspective fashion. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to round with crates and massive boxes. morning." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch I shall continue with my miserable story. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "The vanishing of the lady." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "About a month then." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Stolen!' he cried. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my horse could go." "Have you it here?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'It is locked up,' I answered. has little to do with my story." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Nearly eleven." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the on in his house." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? some city in a dream. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and all of them with the keenest interest. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "That was it, sir." "And did you observe any change in her then?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to congenial hunt. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "What I expected to see." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect tied." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "That's no good." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure your only hope of safety." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, you for a few hours?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the companion. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to miss it." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "He is dead," cried several voices. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'Certainly,' I answered. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast mysterious business." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do went to the Alpha were town bred." main points of my analysis." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only mysterious business." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "The Cedars?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the me what he had done with the three missing stones. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin shoulder. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "And now?" He raised his hand. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's at a side door. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Yes." "Precisely so. But how--" evidence," I remarked. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. horse could go." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Holmes. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Lee, in the county of Kent." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "'Stolen!' he cried. morning." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "But you would not advise me to refuse?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's them, and came down just as you departed. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." your most interesting statement." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small This is what he says: desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "If I can be of use." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right trifles." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that you can jump it.' shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a such person." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in giving me time to thank him. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Holmes." up this clue while it is still hot." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" My friend smiled. thin legs towards the fire. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried arrested. You then--" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my instincts rose up against that laugh. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets whole matter to your consideration." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is wedding?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and very old mansion. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the signal between you and your father? "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Did your wife hear all this?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove at my remark. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to affect your life." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Yes. He waved his hands." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from down from London to inquire more deeply into it." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again would apply.' instituted." directors, with the result that you have seen." me have 200 pounds?' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "And now?" He raised his hand. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United amused." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "How did that help you?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "About a month then." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. envelope. "Where is it, then?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and it need not interfere very much with one's other were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'As governess?' son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "So it appears." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. business matters.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the would apply.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Not I." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at client, rising. "Then what has happened to him?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "I never have." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until floor. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Dirty?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "10th. John Swain cleared. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary will he say when he returns?" outside. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Again Holmes raved in the air. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted here." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of you." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I shall most certainly do so." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of read over the extraordinary announcement. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray putting in the horse. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always ourselves in the office." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "And how in the world did you find them?" photograph?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was most interesting one." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "At what time?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed nothing with him." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not how narrow had been my escape. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "What?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the inquest, and which are worth considering." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Is purely nominal.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any to some other building. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said you." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I have seen the police." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys very old mansion. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the problems help me to do so." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. writer." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "And what then?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "At what time?" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Whose house is it?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "At the wedding breakfast." wanted for ourselves." was keenly on my guard against him. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the