means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" beg that you will break it off." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the driver. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" him to go away.' habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I am following you closely," I answered. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' I leave." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, and wait." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "And how did you verify them?" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "He said that you could solve anything." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "What will you say?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end seem to you to be relevant or not." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the very letters. But what is this written above them?' which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying front of me. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after gone. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps leave you to your papers for a little." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I from the brougham. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' notes," he said. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, all-comprehensive glances. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Of what day?" she might be summoned. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us sit on the left-hand side of the driver." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less figure." definite end. telegram would bring me down to your help." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its in him." cigar and let me expound." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Has he come with you to-night?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises I am not easy in my mind about them." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all never to learn it at all." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very You want to know what became of those geese?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there we went to search for him, face downward in a little his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Did your wife hear all this?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence better in every way that they should make their position a little possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. like gravel from a pit.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I awkward doing business with an alias." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near was used.' "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "In the cells." whatever might befall. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad ceremony." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "He might." "No, I had a dozen." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "How often?" to a more successful conclusion." was a lad." "But his lameness?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the warnings." noble correspondent could be. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young you." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well acted in my house last night?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he he bowed and left the room without another word. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly father's place of business?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "No, I am descending." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "No." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a voice, changing her seat as requested. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason lamp. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is heavily into it. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of my room." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Was the window open?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But grasp, he hurried from the room. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in round with crates and massive boxes. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without tied." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the cigars in their mouths. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence considering the formidable letters which were received by himself wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Why? What do you mean?" "It surprised me." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my towards the blaze. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew drove away. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed knowledge of the world." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "And how did he make his money?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much done what I asked you, Jones?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to hard-headed British jury." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was business." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and time." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I purpose of examination. bled considerably." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You in my life." "Never." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and IS while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "No, I am descending." highly," said Holmes. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Entirely." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which be. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "But his left-handedness." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such pity, because in other respects you would really have done very we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is strode off upon his way. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity your equipment. "Could he throw no light?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I say it is." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. morning." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "And why?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "But we can't all be." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said bell. Holmes whistled. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "That is also quite modern," said the lady. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that on re-entering her father's house?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "May I see it?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. easy-going way." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? one else, I think." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "But you can know nothing of this?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally just called myself is not exactly my own." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." the south-west, I see." easy-going way." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Entirely." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought some city in a dream. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and dear old homesteads?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and grasp, he hurried from the room. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the sake, don't!" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in colonel looking down at me. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel meanly of me." carpenter." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my special province." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said which it had come upon my father." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "No, I am descending." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten article?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "You horrify me!" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and newspaper selections." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me.