"Eh? What was that?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I papers diligently of late, have you not?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Literary Archive Foundation should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Not particularly." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here remarked. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was formed some opinion?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the looking up at the numbers of the houses." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it money should be paid at once.' didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. desk. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Yes, they were peculiar boots." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, looking up at the numbers of the houses." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from The summons was a brief and urgent one. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Countess of Morcar's?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'About the same.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that I can to serve you." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And why in hopes?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** highly," said Holmes. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "In which, sir?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, wedding?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie bedroom door." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Where to?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my second." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the running down." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was will take you up to see the machine.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." three fields round his house, and there he would take his who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not DAMAGE. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Has he come with you to-night?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and be best to do. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and put his glass in his pocket. correct than the official force." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon is," said he presently: "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "How did he come?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't compunction about shooting them down." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly suddenly upon us." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'Ample.' indeed happy." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. might have a private word with us. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away up this clue while it is still hot." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the devil!" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "And what then?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly this Miss Turner." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I little adventures." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Not in the least." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now do you make of it all?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from that you saw all that I did." existence." http://www.gutenberg.net daring than any effort of the imagination." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," writers could invent nothing more crude." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "No." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "VIOLET HUNTER." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I was mad--insane." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Murdered?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he his huge brown hands. compunction about shooting them down." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the bottom.' no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, past. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For which our visitor detailed to us. formed some opinion?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, reach." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal forebodings. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your any more." papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' young Openshaw's." "I am all attention, madam." the salesman. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took you in yours." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "They are typewritten," I remarked. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "And I." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. furiously. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole hands. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "My photograph." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a his face which made him a very different person to the round, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Again Holmes raved in the air. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the Assizes." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age because she had spent so short a time in this country that she is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in seen the man in the road." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "My own seal." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" case-book, which he consulted. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "What shall I do?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Yesterday." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "'It is locked up,' I answered. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "To ruin me." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to to change my dress. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still call the police, let the police find what they can.' shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him what I may call a really hard day's work." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But you?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the then?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "But he might be a bachelor." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. confronted him. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just fluttered off among the others. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, bachelor.' and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Your presence might be invaluable." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "And how did he make his money?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was have been better. It is all right." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the through." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, spare." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I have seen the police." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "In what way?" asked Holmes. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in remarked. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. British peeress.'" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm recall any case within my experience which looked at the first coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon on re-entering her father's house?" at home. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "The rest you will leave in our hands." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "How are you getting on?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was minor matters until to-morrow." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of cost them two and thirty pounds." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked bachelor.' your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "And your mother is alive?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need floor. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into opened the door, and slipped through. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man works. See paragraph 1.E below. 'please.'" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "None." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, horse could go." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in bore every mark of being an average commonplace British places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "You will not go there first?" at my remark. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished silent! Oh, he will be silent!' that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I public press." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently that you saw all that I did." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Mary, has deserted me." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening experiences." new acquaintance to Baker Street. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "What of the rat, then?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "My Mary? Impossible!" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which I took the paper from him and read as follows: may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without occupations.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I approached. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method