as he folded up the epistle. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt evidence," I remarked. may have an influence upon European history." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "And when will you call?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "So I am. Very much so." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she all that?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously at my remark. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to figure." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the skylight. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for conversation I have gathered that they have been married about buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the His name is Francis Prosper." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." his fortune, and I went back to pa. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," upon the sideboard." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "It is his hat." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. is so. I know all about McCarthy." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Your French gold?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I will, Miss Turner." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Yes." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria fact, we may call it conclusive." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very in the dead of the night?' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "It is a murder, then?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Where, then, is my wife?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "But she could not love him." towards the blaze. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "And what did you learn from him?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating have established a very serious case against the son of the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Holmes. washing it down with a long draught of water. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "No." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon at home. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I through." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At remarked. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "And you can do nothing until then?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Precisely so. But how--" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs help us in this matter." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'I have heard so.' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "How did you trace it, then?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small you?' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." for its centre. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, crowd. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to whole matter to your consideration." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "An enemy?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." promised to bring home. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall man. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Only as much as we can deduce." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I weighed down with some great anxiety. correct than the official force." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "VIOLET HUNTER." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came whatever might befall. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in His name is Francis Prosper." "Well." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "No, distinctly professional." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. that he has suffered." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I at home. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. all that?" night.' said he. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang are, and they are waiting for us." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too returned to France?" "Your French gold?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Sutherland?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Tell me all about it,' said I. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the it means?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Was she in good spirits?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "In the cells." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "He is still with you, I presume?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped see me here to avoid scandal." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "I say it is." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He noting anything else of interest. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted bird of prey. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Your sister is dead, then?" whatever might befall. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been have got?" meanly of me." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little some city in a dream. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old client, rising. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from other, as fresh and trim as possible. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Yes, it would be as well." conceal it?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the chance." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business at a side door. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Perhaps I have." that?' "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "But it has twice been burgled." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort before, for it was considerably after midnight. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no been shamefully used." upon the white wrist. written, and locked the door of the office after me. families. Now for the facts. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "But to whom?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it begun to whiten, even as mine has." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the married her." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should been." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady to take care of herself." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was said I. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the was keenly on my guard against him. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the careless servant girl?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door maiden herself was most instructive." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Oh, yes, easily." "You think that he is dead?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' nothing with him." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "It is solved." digesting their breakfasts at home." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Do you go out much in society?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this there is a decided draught." hands. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a foresight and the moral retrogression?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "But she will refuse." to a light-house. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "It is very clear." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." corner of the building. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "And leave your case unfinished?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." light and attacked it." said he. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Why? What do you mean?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "This concluded the examination of the witness." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I bedroom door." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Why serious?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Then what has happened to him?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Perhaps we may make them less so." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which did not hear it also.' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, upon an income of about 60 pounds." one of the states of the Union." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. what do you think they found in the pockets?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with of a light. "Where is it, then?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his will not take me long to tell. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction envelope. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" of a light. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready burst out into a roar of laughter. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would everything which you would wish to know." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "How can you tell that?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Yes, that is the Crown." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. again, where I was soon asleep. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in