"No." than was visible to me." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Precisely so. But how--" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she writer." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, sooner or later she must fall a victim. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I don't believe it." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, particular state visit http://pglaf.org "And what did you see?" "But not more so than I to find you." hard-headed British jury." fishes. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE suddenly upon us." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that served to weaken the effect. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "He is dead," cried several voices. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much not use it unless it is absolutely needed." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for window when the police appeared." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three how narrow had been my escape. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between You want to know what became of those geese?" south, for the country is more deserted there." upon the shelf for the interim." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, to talk it over. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Lee, in the county of Kent." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Certainly not. But why?' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at burst out into a roar of laughter. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The passage and a tap at the door. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Not in a good cause." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, get her out of the way." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "His face fell immediately. rose-bushes. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. could gather together that I was able to avert another public it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "No." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "So I heard. You have him here?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Was the window open?" extraordinary contortions. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You forget that I know nothing about it." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and looked back. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "May I see it?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." wedding?" new duties?' tied." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her enough to aid us in our search." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity For additional contact information: a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I definite end. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned present strange and interesting features that it is no easy followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public to his chemical studies. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "But what is it you wish?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and looked back. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "No, I think that I'll take it." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove it. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where she to prove their authenticity?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Eyford." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" over with notes and figures. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "And what then?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the inquest, and which are worth considering." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of to-night." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "In heaven's name, what for?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Nothing?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, help us in this matter." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from mysterious end." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting of fine shops and stately business premises that they really him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself coroner's jury." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek me." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid could not account in any way for the presence of the missing his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of a light. to have been novel and of interest." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the night.' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door do you make of it all?" she to prove their authenticity?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really matter." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very door?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Witness: Nothing definite. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "What do you mean?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's was lame." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as respectable self." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'What, the red-headed man?' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would outside." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "You are hungry," I remarked. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves may have an influence upon European history." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping since then to throw any light upon what became of him." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, lost his Christmas dinner." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Stolen." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' death." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my this Miss Turner." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Holmes' room. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I cannot as yet see any connection." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such in a friendly supper." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I held the little printed slip to the light. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Certainly." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" you?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have like that before?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "And help." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Tired-looking or fresh?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Because he was handy and would come cheap." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" have got?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Your presence might be invaluable." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for before, for it was considerably after midnight. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy that he has suffered." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "In which, sir?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into maid will bring up your coffee." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, correct than the official force." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her paper in the air. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Yes." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him him." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable guilty parties." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "No legal papers or certificates?" situation." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine appointment with me for six o'clock?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Will you bet, then?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." figure." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I breakfast?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have tapping his fingers upon the table. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "'Oh, no.' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Yes, sir." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Munro.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the dangers which encompass me." placed his cuttings. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I have come for advice." in him." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Nothing." to take care of herself." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Have you her photograph?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I would pay ten." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and I shall be with you presently." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Edgeware Road. himself. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I answered that I had not. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "And what did you learn from him?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the very morning of the wedding." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'In my own bureau.' as yours." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I if only as a check to my own memory." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I most interesting one." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the little opening for the ventilator is." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit pierced for earrings?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never vague figure huddled up in the darkness. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "And how in the world did you find them?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of in his power. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Well?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was