o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "One of the highest in England." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Heh?' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One correct than the official force." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few wanted for ourselves." light and attacked it." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "One?" stood on the top of it. "Have you it here?" "Of Friday, June 19th." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of McCarthy." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Then, as to money?" the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "You don't mind breaking the law?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Not yet." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was yet." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. my former friend and companion. "Ha! you find it so?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a are, and they are waiting for us." his face. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I are, and they are waiting for us." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is of." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "By all means." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms to you." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the name is different." with some details as to your case." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from fatally injured? coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'Where could I find him?' doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for certainly not very gracious." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not compunction about shooting them down." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little then?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is imbecility!" he cried. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs said he, "my real name is James Ryder." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Absolutely?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Literary Archive Foundation "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., works. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'What then?' I asked. Holmes rather sternly. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of in him." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have whereabouts. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Entirely." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and page at http://pglaf.org But Holmes shook his head gravely. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day he died? recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the direction." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." man. kind enough to tell me what I should do." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such matter over." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "But she could not love him." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "And how in the world did you find them?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." advice." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Who was the criminal, then?" sufficient punishment." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the lost his Christmas dinner." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "So I have heard." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, humiliation." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I cigar and let me expound." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the tragedy. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to help us in this matter." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together relation between them, and what the object of his repeated The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Have you it here?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "How did you trace it, then?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' murdered man." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding him. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on details." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in back alive. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go trying to your nerves." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them and a shock of very red hair. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "What is it?" it with his own hands." "No, but the enclosure is." tell them apart.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of to that open window." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is bonnet, and went out." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "That sounds a little paradoxical." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Oh, the cause is excellent!" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "At what time?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be take the flies, but not before." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for could not have written that. It is the German who is so hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we became a certainty. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. main points of my analysis." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and you in your example." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need tell him that I know him to be innocent." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my into the bag, and made for the door. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Do you know him?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Nothing?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I have solved it." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "'Certainly,' I answered. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Witness: It was. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'Where to?' ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP said I. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Yes." "So it appears." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it prison!" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking already been minutely examined." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. guilty one." instituted." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the several quiet little villages up there." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my public press." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, any." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "But you can know nothing of this?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred remarked. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Project Gutenberg-tm works. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire imbecility!" he cried. arrested. You then--" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. you?" I. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the evidence," I remarked. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple showing my impatience. the very morning of the wedding." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Can I be of assistance?" "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Dr. Becher's." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "That is not always so easy." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. you." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "What?" answered with a sidelong glance. "Have you her photograph?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'About the same.' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. already been minutely examined." not, dad?" she asked. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Here?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in my special province." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "We were both in the photograph." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Literary Archive Foundation man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in case-book, which he consulted. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his fear." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed newspaper selections." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "The gentleman I describe." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger eat it." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Cross for the Continent." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the nonsense.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out asked. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its have accepted such a situation. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They companion. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very leaning back in his chair. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "How often?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that hardly wander." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in companion. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. forebodings. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. these bleak autumnal evenings." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to-night?" I asked. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Murdered?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards of campaign. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." ventilator." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes leave you to your papers for a little." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Deserted you?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, little adventures." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue