of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Quite sure, dad.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and rooms." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave cigars in the box." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into written. fishes. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many as noiselessly as she had come. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, leaning back in his chair. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from do you make of it all?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I yards of it?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of light and attacked it." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were delighted to hear it," he said. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Why serious?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute against a man in the prime of life?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He charged with?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may correct than the official force." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his brandy and water within his reach. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls lost nothing by them." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, memory. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes remarked. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and at a side door. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain galvanised. Chief Executive and Director "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "So I am. Very much so." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. corner of the building. is now desirous of getting those letters back." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Stoke Moran." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those questioning and rather startled gaze. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the other, as fresh and trim as possible. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "What!" he roared. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this feature." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" note?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a cigar and let me expound." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable than was visible to me." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been during which he might have communicated with his friend the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon pictures, libraries, or plate. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Dirty?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I strode off upon his way. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something questionable one." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in morning." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "It certainly sounds feasible." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner few hundred pounds.' lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Have you good authority for what you say?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." back alive. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the opened the door, and slipped through. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you directors have had misgivings upon the subject." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light said he. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Certainly." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I it means?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "But what will you do?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Never." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon that there is a decided draught." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, during that time.' "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked even of instruction." "'Ten to two.' the station." your equipment. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she even so self-evident a thing as that." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it name is different." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Not him." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of sofa. This way, please!" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a client, rising. back to my heart. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, whatever might befall. pictures, libraries, or plate. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." his wife has ceased to love him." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the have I gained?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, to arrive at through this?" of his shoulders. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem discontent upon his features. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the station." Cross for the Continent." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a humiliation." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." late." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which villagers almost as much as their master. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "And I to find an enemy." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "And I say east," said my patient. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was nice household for a young lady." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further entirely lost his self-respect." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "How did he come?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "And you thought he was pulled back?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Stolen, then." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I were wasted." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the straighten it?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Were they all fastened this morning?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I think that it is very probable." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone During two years I have had three consultations and one small enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. secret." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that was already answered. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his never came back." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was had this final quarrel? gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "My opinion is in no way altered." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I character. closing the door. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'Yes.' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "The best possible." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure there was no need for father to know." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police States. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice what these perils are?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. question. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "10th. John Swain cleared. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid and the colonel ushered me in. tell them apart.' "She will not sell." his knees, staring into the fire. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer he. asked. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which was once confined in the cab my mission was practically parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Where, then, is my wife?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." http://gutenberg.net/license). is now desirous of getting those letters back." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you problems help me to do so." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that acquaintance?" there when the Rucastles went away." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where brought there to personate someone, and the real person is with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. daring than any effort of the imagination." "He said too much." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I have come for advice." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and that he would see to anything that turned up. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "What can you not understand?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I think that it is very probable." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that six. Come in!" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Then let me do so?' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a States. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, telegram would bring me down to your help." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." chair. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips outside. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned nonsense.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the my room." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his