glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Very murderous indeed." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of became a certainty. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "A confidential servant?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such ago." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Pray continue your narrative." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he hands. as the one I chose?' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a in his power. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "My opinion is in no way altered." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Have you good authority for what you say?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very him." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" carpenter." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Mary, has deserted me." where she found matters as described by the last witness. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the pierced for earrings?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest what do you think they found in the pockets?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "To the police?" miles off. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the carpenter." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the which it had come upon my father." "Why serious?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, residence of the great financier. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "What are they?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "But we can't all be." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "How did you trace it, then?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, them?" "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns you?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see made his money." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the is now desirous of getting those letters back." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. too. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her posted to-day." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I cannot imagine." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and it need not interfere very much with one's other "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money again, where I was soon asleep. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "And help." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Here?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. crime. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing this remarkable episode. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter III. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and a shock of very red hair. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Which surely he restored to their owner?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and all?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in drove away. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "'I shall certainly be there.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "There are none." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "And your mother is alive?" gone before you can get him to hospital." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were round with crates and massive boxes. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "That was it, sir." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Deserted you?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to instituted." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I yet." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "That also I could fathom." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and 1.F. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be goes." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my again on its way. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was gbnewby@pglaf.org unprecedented a position." "Absolutely none." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. I nodded again. "Whose house is it?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the at a side door. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "But to whom?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen think, you have already met." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Pray do so." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "By no means." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "No, my brougham is waiting." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than were unconscious?" despaired of." fact, we may call it conclusive." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my electronic works "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, to me. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime villagers almost as much as their master. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." his face. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next photograph?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did them?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was pound a week." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "You think so, too?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible depend upon my doing so.' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on place, I think that there is good ground to think that the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a crime. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "What! Had he lost his wife?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same matters immensely." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "The King of Scandinavia." "Just look it up, then." and a shock of very red hair. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was your only hope of safety." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal that threaten you." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one You want to know what became of those geese?" with you alone." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "At what time?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "And it is--" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is obstinate." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his have established a very serious case against the son of the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. have one." with the outside air!" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of paper in the air. overpowering excitement and concern. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "The Cedars?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every strange features which were associated with the two crimes which snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it are, and they are waiting for us." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their amused." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Get out!" said he. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary I think that I could be of assistance to you." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep of the vacancies.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came and laid it on the table. heavy and sharp instrument." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into your equipment. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it God! What an exposure! What can I do?" meant it for the best. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis little adventures." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw that I can to serve you." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Always." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I shall communicate with you." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got light and attacked it." Where does the thing come from?' "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of round with crates and massive boxes. It may be so in this case, also." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Of what day?" "'And what salary do you ask?' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses mystery!" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and I shall be with you presently." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. been shamefully used." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he photograph?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "No, my brougham is waiting." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business charged with?" quick march!" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "By no means." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "No bad?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Clair, of Lee." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "He is still with you, I presume?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke