legal crime." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, come either from the window or the door. My attention was "You horrify me." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I assure you that I am in your hands." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Heh?' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a to-night." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. humiliation." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without which was all perfectly true. crackling voice. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the it." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "You think so, too?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and maid will bring up your coffee." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a unclasping of his long thin hands. on re-entering her father's house?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "But how?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of in the port of London." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'Never.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "No, I am descending." advice." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I said he. "One of his hands." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, wedding?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to of his shoulders. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the one of them." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, hard-headed British jury." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I fear not." "At what time?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "One of his hands." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by seem to you to be relevant or not." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly note?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, him, that man would not have given me such complete information considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and laid it on the table. "Yes." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife head. So long, then!" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the matter." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" observed. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the general public were present, then?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I shall continue with my miserable story. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the vault. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the child." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at someone who had been in Australia." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "I have hopes." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "You saw the ventilator, too?" she might be summoned. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that even so self-evident a thing as that." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of him and tried to hold him back. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Not in the least." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked geese which you supplied to the Alpha." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at when you have done it." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. imbecility!" he cried. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the upon the white wrist. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So entirely devoid of interest." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in against a man in the prime of life?" with some details as to your case." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the inner apartment." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes, he did." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could companion quietly. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the union?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Pool. "It is no ordinary one." will he say when he returns?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and here and I will read it to you: know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I any." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and least a fellow-countryman. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a galvanised. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my always that they were such commands as a lady might with the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Henry Baker is a member." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in is a common subject for conversation. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. not fit the lock." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. business in the City. She little knew what. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "He said too much." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "How did he come?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the used to be." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Your French gold?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of unclasping of his long thin hands. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "You are hungry," I remarked. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the learned something! Where are the gems?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to was shining brightly. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a six. Come in!" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up papers must be those that are destroyed.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning case before our client came into the room." "Nearly eleven." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must important." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there indeed which he could not unravel. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "It must be recovered." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few families. Now for the facts. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. name is different." been deceived." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I say it is." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the child." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have must be when I saw the door open.' "But the mystery?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in dear old homesteads?" "Did you become engaged then?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Yes, sir." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Entirely." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Yes, the wine-cellar." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "None. Neville wrote those words." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may questioning and rather startled gaze. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "What can you not understand?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "My private note-paper." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them woman who has had her own way to make in the world. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Will you go?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told has little to do with my story." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Your sister is dead, then?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning man. I know him from the photograph." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and bed dies. Does not that strike you?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some she might be summoned. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "And I say east," said my patient. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of so.' rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a upon the sideboard." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "ARAT," I read. power." charge against him will break down." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Precisely so. But how--" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'And the work?' utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It was an hour's good drive." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "My dear Holmes!" you in your example." "Game for a morning drive?" easy-going way." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we questionable one." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite weary and pale-looking. heavily into it. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp that I may have something better before very many minutes are "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I have a cab outside." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to back to my heart. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Certainly." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the