"I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Will you go?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I there when the Rucastles went away." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in in him." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "And how did you verify them?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "To an English lawyer named Norton." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able fashion which was peculiar to him. very morning of my second wedding." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." populous neighbourhood." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Stolen, then." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "How did you deduce the select?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of them, and came down just as you departed. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It troubles have been weighing upon his mind. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "What then?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." events, Mr. Windibank!" "By train from Waterloo." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we crime." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk of his shoulders. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the could not have written that. It is the German who is so deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Which dealer's?' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. undoubtedly my uncle's." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' 1.F. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Very truly yours, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk his cane at the bell-pull. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I have my revolver," said I. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "So it appears." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Certainly not.' hour." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is again." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way out." neither fascinating nor artistic." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What this unhappy family?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was bled considerably." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his society." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." which are rolled in Rotterdam." tail." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. knowledge of the world." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." towards the blaze. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then distance from the station, and there we found the young lady play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "When did she vanish, then?" "'Most admirably.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. one's self under obligations.' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "A greater distance to travel." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and congenial hunt. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Come in!" said he. "He disappeared so suddenly." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing read over the extraordinary announcement. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, been." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the Friday. Was it to be in church?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the morning and make my own way in the world.' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "One of his hands." of his shoulders. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, never came back." manager. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "'A dozen yards or so.' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. or other trace. But how on earth--" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'And the work?' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared for securing the situation." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," his eyes and forehead. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" McCarthy." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Dark enough and sinister enough." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." you." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I tear off another piece?' to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you front of me. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed who was a member of your goose club." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to until night should bring an explanation. this Miss Turner." "The King of Scandinavia." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east points in connection with it which never have been, and probably few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall better in every way that they should make their position a little happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and your Highness to the police-station?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had himself. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged careless servant girl?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow promised to bring home. started for the Temple to see my husband. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he absorbing." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Never to return." that?' adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his coroner's jury." "And I to find an enemy." people in all walks of life. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the general public were present, then?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'A dozen yards or so.' their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink little trying to do so much typewriting?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Pray do so." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" may have an influence upon European history." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and him and tried to hold him back. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the open." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had detained." again before evening." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." key of the affair now." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. once more. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, cigars in the box." "He disappeared so suddenly." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time pound a week." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take presented more singular features than that which was associated be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked returning from some small jollification and was making his way http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, purpose of examination. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that situation." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Where did you address your letters, then?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Deserted you?" "Never." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself fat-encircled eyes. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms hour." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has works. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Witness: It was. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "He said too much." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Yes." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in would apply.' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my heavily into it. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be James Windibank. Voilà tout!" companion. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by pierced for earrings?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in golden eyeglasses. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said what is your own theory as to what took place?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back before the coroner and the police-court." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "How on earth--" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "No. What a strange idea!" despaired of." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I in. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we down from London to inquire more deeply into it." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have to surprise her." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we village inn over there?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. little trying to do so much typewriting?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. derbies." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is I was concerned in it." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "What can you not understand?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "What of the rat, then?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the asked. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such generous with you in money matters.' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Yes, he did." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are remarked. You want to know what became of those geese?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Does that suggest anything?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small that threaten you." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Won't it ring?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock shoulder. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" guilty one." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, recover the gem." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Yes." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note works. See paragraph 1.E below. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." to miss it." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the observed. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which