gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the bears upon the case?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "What have you to say now?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." your Highness to the police-station?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she very peculiar words of the dying woman?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Of what?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "And now?" I asked. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. said he. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, any." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "The best possible." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "His face fell immediately. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "An enemy?" what these perils are?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any drove away. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will nonsense.' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Yes." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of note-paper. It read in this fashion: after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Where, then, is my wife?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is down in his armchair and closing his eyes. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "You know me, then?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." events, Mr. Windibank!" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the house with me." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "No sign of it?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. strong and stiff." gbnewby@pglaf.org seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Witness: I must still refuse. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Mary, has deserted me." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and all of them with the keenest interest. relief. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his your sleep?' other lovers by making love himself." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, tension within him. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one locked. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'What, the red-headed man?' side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very your room." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Quite so. She has her freedom." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "At the wedding breakfast." is worth.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Yes." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "'Yes, sir.' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in conclusions. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I cannot imagine." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates over part of the map. "What do you read?" turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened there is a decided draught." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Has he come with you to-night?" Holmes. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those off." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all that before taking the final step I should like to submit the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his during the last few years, and there are many noble families to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Nothing." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." your only hope of safety." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' once more for Briony Lodge. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest pierced for earrings?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are correct than the official force." situation." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "On the contrary, this is the right side." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Eyford." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed out." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round said he at last. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "And did you observe any change in her then?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "I will get her to show me." you in yours." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, door?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. best detective that ever lived. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the little opening for the ventilator is." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "The knees of his trousers." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of important." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I say it is." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few John Swain, of St. Augustine. there is a decided draught." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and him." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet as he folded up the epistle. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with for securing the situation." "I should wish to." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "And I to find an enemy." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Yes." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off suddenly upon us." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on sake, don't!" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I was sure that I might rely on you." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted shoulder; "he's all right." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any skylight. States. said he at last. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, that?' infinite languor in his face. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. to-night?" I asked. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at bed dies. Does not that strike you?" What do you deduce from it?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the breakfast?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "You did not overhear what they said?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Where is it, then?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "How often?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There is," said he presently: position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place I. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, suddenly upon us." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "The vanishing of the lady." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "And what did you learn from him?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee fattened it expressly for you.' asked. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the loss of it. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat key turn in the lock." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the of a light. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Countess of Morcar's?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his congenial hunt. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Where, indeed?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who where we are going." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Yes." "Of what day?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" to miss it." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. shaken than I had ever seen him. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her than to us. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'Stolen!' he cried. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "What is it?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came asked with his eyes open. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "No, thank goodness, she did not." window when the police appeared." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I reach." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Won't it ring?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the asked. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Murdered?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her just called myself is not exactly my own." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to better in every way that they should make their position a little About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a girl said." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Foundation of note-paper. It read in this fashion: The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'Yes, I promise.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant photograph a cabinet?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, directly by questioning you." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Entirely." leaning back in his chair. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "Then you may be so with me." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission discontent upon his features. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, I am not easy in my mind about them." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House woman who has had her own way to make in the world. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely without a word or a look.