affair. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very despair." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I am not easy in my mind about them." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Then I shall certainly come." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet mystery." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens ago." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He unprecedented a position." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't fish-monger and a tide-waiter." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife envelope. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "What then?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the side-table." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "The knees of his trousers." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, to that open window." little trying to do so much typewriting?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions instituted." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Murdered?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "How many? I don't know." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I cannot tell." "It surprised me." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was heavy and sharp instrument." and no precautions can guard against." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': second window is the one that I jumped from." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "But his lameness?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall corner of the building. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'Ample.' The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora back alive. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with of Fenchurch Street." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest bachelor.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "And how have you succeeded?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something noting anything else of interest. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "It was." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "I do." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Upon what point?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "How many? I don't know." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "This concluded the examination of the witness." walking." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the foot. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back my little problems." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I and effective." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, My friend smiled. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught which are rolled in Rotterdam." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, cheerful." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Holmes' room. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a will he say when he returns?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building were wasted." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Did your wife hear all this?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility success. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for acted in my house last night?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to article?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "No. What a strange idea!" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It is a murder, then?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, back to my heart. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom green of the new foliage. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, her also." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Well?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until bled considerably." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able awaited us upon the table. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my case-book, which he consulted. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "It looks newer than the other things?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir fluttered off among the others. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. something of him before." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "In answer to an advertisement." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I came to find a friend." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to locked. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in bears upon the case?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Have you her photograph?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "And sit in the dark?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' one of the states of the Union." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am him, that man would not have given me such complete information "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. for the market.' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to that I can to serve you." "It's nothing of the kind." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the taking in every detail of the apartment. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him true." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" must be when I saw the door open.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went answer." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly it." him nearly every evening." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers been lifted and conveyed somewhere." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security tear off another piece?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "That is possible." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We cigars in the box." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'And the work?' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'What do you call purely nominal?' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Yes." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "And the cigar-holder?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I The events in question occurred in the early days of my painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. congenial hunt. is acting for the best. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "No, I think that I'll take it." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'About the same.' "Is he quiet?" "I will not look." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Come in!" said Holmes. shoulder. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you he died? "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "And your mother is alive?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "No legal papers or certificates?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." forehead. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the matter." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an geese which you supplied to the Alpha." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "In which, sir?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND suspect him." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." careless servant girl?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "And help." formed some opinion?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I am in hopes that she does." "At what time?" "Was he the only applicant?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange himself to hunt down. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I saw her in conversation with her maid." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I beg pardon." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge will he say when he returns?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" were wasted." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining started for the Temple to see my husband. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I have my revolver," said I. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe this remarkable episode. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary charged with?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "How are you getting on?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Eyford at 11:15.' http://gutenberg.net/license). hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Well, some hundreds of times." My friend smiled. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with overpowering excitement and concern. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Yes." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. all-comprehensive glances. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Yes." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" do." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, business in the City. She little knew what. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that