round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Frequently." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was heavy and sharp instrument." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "You have carte blanche." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us if only as a check to my own memory." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without lost his Christmas dinner." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Never to return." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I cannot as yet see any connection." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the you came in." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that http://www.gutenberg.net "Certainly." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my money should be paid at once.' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent tassel actually lying upon the pillow. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it in a very precise fashion." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows late!' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some a very grave face. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see results." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be that I may have something better before very many minutes are had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, seen the man in the road." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all hair?' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you of receipt of the work. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet wedding?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I detective. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. call you and give you the chance." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among his wife has ceased to love him." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and point in the dark hollow of his hand. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "She walked into the breakfast-room." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Yes, only one." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: This is what he says: forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers ventilator." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It is possible." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my he bowed and left the room without another word. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." as he folded up the epistle. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been to tackle the facts." it." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy did not hear it also.' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "That is unusual in a young girl." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "But we can't all be." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then distinguish the words: vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "She told me to ask you." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "I was mad--insane." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Stolen." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are British peeress.'" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble would apply.' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Sholtos." "What will you do, then?" "But to whom?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "An enemy?" "Well, some hundreds of times." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "It is very clear." you in yours." fasten all the windows?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what this remarkable episode. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. page at http://pglaf.org "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. is worth.' fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and tell me that you intended to go into harness." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'Yes, sir.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged highly," said Holmes. ventilator." London for the present?" "Only as much as we can deduce." the best of training." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought memory. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have presented more singular features than that which was associated must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor once more for Briony Lodge. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident entirely devoid of interest." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" in his hands." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the out." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "We must have a cab." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the Assizes." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see into the bag, and made for the door. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'I am sure if I had known--' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what joking. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for trying to your nerves." "To an English lawyer named Norton." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was and the colonel ushered me in. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had locked." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed hand, madam?" "You think so, too?" "9th. McCauley cleared. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "No more words. Get out!" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the me. the general public were present, then?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went ways of our fellow-men." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly posted to-day." "'I am sure that I do not know.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "How did he come?" "Do you go out much in society?" matter." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage closely." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, depend upon your compliance." interest. They are important, you understand, without being violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her like that before?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "How many? I don't know." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I am about to be married." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "How did that help you?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the inner apartment." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' grasp, he hurried from the room. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Where did he live, then?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly is acting for the best. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle corner of the building. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you tapping his fingers upon the table. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "No?" infinite languor in his face. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "That is unusual in a young girl." "Yes, it would be as well." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Deserted you?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he your most interesting statement." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Where did you address your letters, then?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is geese which you supplied to the Alpha." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to present." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." my secret was safe in his possession. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." is a common subject for conversation. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Heh?' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been is now desirous of getting those letters back." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who danger is over." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "In heaven's name, what for?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'I have heard so.' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom been deceived." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or hour." unkempt, staring out at me. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, child?' "Pray continue your narrative." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "You did not overhear what they said?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of my friend's incisive reasoning. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when digesting their breakfasts at home." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I am in hopes that she does." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "What are they?" better grown goose." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "You think that he is dead?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Entirely." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the fasten all the windows?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'Stolen!' he cried. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Oh, no.' his grey eyes. certainly do as you advise." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for in the hope of finding them." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." wall." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would his huge brown hands. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with pierced for earrings?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are client, rising. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional