police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated always that they were such commands as a lady might with Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Ah!" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he morning." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "It is possible." hands. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a John Swain, of St. Augustine. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "When did she vanish, then?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom London for the present?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "ARAT," I read. mysterious end." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked already referred to. invisible to me," I remarked. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "And your father? Did you tell him?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his records." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless guilty parties." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to examine." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "What will you say?" had formerly been in part my own. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before that the gas is not laid on in his house?" it." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Whose house is it?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Not in a good cause." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Bought." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was to Leatherhead. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Certainly." 'please.'" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Did he not advertise?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by hurried by. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences some mystery and the punishment of some crime." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was him to go away.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect even of instruction." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "VIOLET HUNTER." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of neither fascinating nor artistic." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he affair. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of constraint." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two to affect your life." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged begun to whiten, even as mine has." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was some city in a dream. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'Entirely.' manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "He said that you could solve anything." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the over part of the map. "What do you read?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a locked." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend said he. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "By all means." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "None. Neville wrote those words." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this late." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort nonsense.' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Precisely so. But how--" "'There is a drive, then?' Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with hopeless attempt at recovering them." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I say that I have solved it." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I in the hope of finding them." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" back into the street. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was carpenter." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter frequently gained my first real insight into the character of status with the IRS. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. yet." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was father's young wife. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of few hundred pounds.' I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not newspaper selections." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and colour had been driven from his face. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to status with the IRS. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank people don't know." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had were wasted." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. were unconscious?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the very morning of the wedding." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with time." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn come either from the window or the door. My attention was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I was mad--insane." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his invisible to me," I remarked. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Where is it, then?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Was the window open?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the thought that she would have been so carried away." depend upon your compliance." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Yesterday." upon the shelf for the interim." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I don't believe it." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Married! When?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me dead, shall be safe with us." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after from you?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can hand, madam?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell presented more singular features than that which was associated advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my him to go away.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "ARAT," I read. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of said he. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "And how did you find out?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I good for you to do.' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "I cannot imagine." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "What then?" "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. will take you up to see the machine.' realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the help us in this matter." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Stolen." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "That you are never beaten." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who that hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me gentleman's clothes. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the instincts rose up against that laugh. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would point in the dark hollow of his hand. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I thin legs towards the fire. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Certainly." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Ah!" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, highroad, where all traces were lost. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, in one or two places in England?' "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Yes." main points of my analysis." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor she used." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel dear old homesteads?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "And what did you see?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "What is it, then--a fire?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a is a common subject for conversation. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "You did not overhear what they said?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his companion. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just neither fascinating nor artistic." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to you for a few hours?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a fattened it expressly for you.' "He said too much." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a begun to whiten, even as mine has." some city in a dream. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your would apply.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'There is a drive, then?' us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all extraordinary contortions. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Bought." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has over part of the map. "What do you read?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises forehead. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Yes." there is a decided draught." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten gigantic client. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a if she died from some sudden fright." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again