residence of the great financier. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Not social, then?" said he. asked with his eyes open. "No, I am descending." touch that coronet?' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. hour?' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera developed." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'Certainly not.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear few hundred pounds.' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'Yes.' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." himself to hunt down. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the next day. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found presented more singular features than that which was associated from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" to talk it over. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already without a word or a look. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way generous with you in money matters.' money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with bird of prey. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see he bowed and left the room without another word. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a stalked out of the room. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove advice." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Where, then?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Well?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'And the work?' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "'I have heard so.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to simple cases which are so extremely difficult." to a more successful conclusion." pierced for earrings?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went down in his armchair and closing his eyes. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt have got?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Mrs. Toller serenely. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, acquaintance?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was any more." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with digesting their breakfasts at home." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of money should be paid at once.' open." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you outside. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with feature." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own furiously. do." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Oh, yes, easily." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the inquest, and which are worth considering." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging not as remarkable as your advertisement." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "What steps will you take?" I asked. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "But she will refuse." "I was sure that I might rely on you." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "You forget that I know nothing about it." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Certainly, madam." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with window when the police appeared." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "That is it on the dressing-table." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, night.' said he. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is in my life." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And your mother is alive?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "I should wish to." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the tragedy. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for American. Then who could this American be, and why should he strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I formed some opinion?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are paper in the air. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding it." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the hour?' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he all that?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "He said that you could solve anything." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs writers could invent nothing more crude." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a affection." "By all means." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Have you her photograph?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand interests were the same as his." your sleep?' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from hardly wander." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' made him keep the appointment." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It province." hard-headed British jury." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. knowledge of the world." "'Certainly not.' "What then?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Have you her photograph?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg disturbance in my wife." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Why did you beat the pavement?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with I took the paper from him and read as follows: "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it examine." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Your presence might be invaluable." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or my friend's incisive reasoning. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I don't believe it." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not eavesdroppers?' "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Thank you. And your address?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still very peculiar words of the dying woman?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by test if we have an answer to our advertisement." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and all of them with the keenest interest. the inner apartment." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "No." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the side. "It is a murder, then?" the dangers which encompass me." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From affection." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable late." lectures into a series of tales." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "One of his hands." "The best possible." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "'I am sure if I had known--' your room." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "About a month then." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the his forehead." "I guessed as much." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Yes, at the mines." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" companion quietly. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "But you were on a friendly footing?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. always that they were such commands as a lady might with paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that your bag." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Was he the only applicant?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty chill to my heart. "'Yes, it was gone.' about. "Well." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat down in his armchair and closing his eyes. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I would pay ten." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City keep the flames under. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "At half-wages, in fact." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "In answer to an advertisement." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Heh?' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird McCarthy's innocence. envelope. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps business?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was passage and a tap at the door. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure despaired of." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Edgeware Road. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend his face which made him a very different person to the round, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." http://www.gutenberg.net "Come in!" said he. "Very murderous indeed." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of suspect him." works. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! you." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Yes, there are nearly always some there." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a envelope. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of