this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly go back?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Dirty?" the ceiling. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of following enigmatical notices: to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the loss of it. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, been shamefully used." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "What! a murderous attack?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "What! a murderous attack?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought she used." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we his face which made him a very different person to the round, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we were wasted." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Texas, I think." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I should be immensely obliged to you." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Which dealer's?' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious papers diligently of late, have you not?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. should be so warm over such a trifle." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the side-table." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt opportunities to fix the problem. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "And now?" I asked. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' waste of energy." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a might help us?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they will take you up to see the machine.' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not too. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the ways of our fellow-men." For additional contact information: "And leave your case unfinished?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Holmes' face clouded over. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Certainly." "Here?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "The doctor?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" is worth.' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of discontent upon his features. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such discontent upon his features. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." forehead. "How many? I don't know." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Have you her photograph?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change the room while you explain this matter?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. child?' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Then, how do you know?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters think you a quite exceptional woman." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which I shall continue with my miserable story. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "If I can be of use." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" appointment with me for six o'clock?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. that?' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." following enigmatical notices: "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip gentleman's clothes. him." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "What is it?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the roused himself from his reverie. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room you in your example." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I am following you closely," I answered. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of least a fellow-countryman. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you which it had come upon my father." "'You cannot say what it was?' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his foot. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and hard-headed British jury." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "The Coroner: What do you mean? "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to never will be, entirely cleared up. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the hand, madam?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are would apply.' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I say that I have solved it." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the one as in the other." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, official police." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Sholtos." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'Yes, sir.' "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the warnings." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "But how will you look?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "The decline of his fortunes, then?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the one as in the other." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Nothing?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Where is it, then?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage over here." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start me have 200 pounds?' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel your most interesting statement." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small heavily into it. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'Where could I find him?' "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Miss Holder?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I could not have written that. It is the German who is so this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he distinguish the words: wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into a suggestive one." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Arthur Conan Doyle "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Not him." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to money should be paid at once.' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "But how could you guess what the motive was?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his are, and they are waiting for us." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this congenial hunt. eavesdroppers?' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which of fine shops and stately business premises that they really you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the tragedy. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the been able to understand it, in a very few words. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Precisely so. But how--" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "She will not sell." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Can I be of assistance?" of campaign. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began McCarthy." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It points in connection with it which never have been, and probably prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "No good news?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Well." "You have carte blanche." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; on re-entering her father's house?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I rat could hardly pass through." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light you give your casting vote to?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Foundation you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that obstinate." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case ceremony." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Which are?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship seven miles from Eyford Station.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without three of the beryls in it, was missing. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my The telegram which we eventually received came late one night delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "No, I think that I'll take it." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as from the brougham. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, on in his house." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "How on earth--" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "And why in hopes?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if know all about it," he snarled. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent too. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His the stones. "No sign of it?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying interests were the same as his." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "I should be immensely obliged to you." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "It is his hat." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long to that open window." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "And how have you succeeded?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old companion quietly. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I in a very precise fashion." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the inquest, and which are worth considering." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how how narrow had been my escape. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came jewels which you have stolen?' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Where to?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Precisely." chance at all." "Have you it here?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You horrify me." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully cigars in the box." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of