eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them been able to understand it, in a very few words. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them was not a bird to be seen there. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door depend upon your compliance." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "My stepfather's business papers." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and inquire as to the address." "'Which dealer's?' my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales children over to America with him, so that I found myself without very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "And why?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Did your wife hear all this?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland shall not find me ungrateful." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Nothing?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Yes?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were man. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is felt the room to be a little close.' certainly not very gracious." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you get her out of the way." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If written, and locked the door of the office after me. "You are hungry," I remarked. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took trifles." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Her father is very rich?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the morning and make my own way in the world.' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less his face which made him a very different person to the round, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "On your arm?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I of a light. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "That is also quite modern," said the lady. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the letters?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A present." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Imitated." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the child?' and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I should be immensely obliged to you." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "You have but to name it." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Yes, that is the Crown." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK legal crime." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to is now desirous of getting those letters back." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the Assizes." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their important." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his writers could invent nothing more crude." "The King of Scandinavia." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped shoulder. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in where Mr. Fordham shows you.' here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Where does the thing come from?' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is papers must be those that are destroyed.' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited over here." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." presume?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but detained." "Ha! you find it so?" said I. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Ten will be early enough." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the daring than any effort of the imagination." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land province." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Breckinridge is his name." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck back alive. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the bottom.' means taking possession of that which another person has a prior belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "How do you know, then?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in yourselves in at night?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely answer." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "You have compromised yourself seriously." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us here and I will read it to you: DISSOLVED. laugh and put his lips to my ear. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where fuss that is made over them." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced footfalls from the street. cigars in the box." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind together. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "None." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will straightened it out again. "Always." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, he did." may never be exposed to such a temptation." companion quietly. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "But you can know nothing of this?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Did you observe the colour?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Oh, fresh and glossy." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most was a lad." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, back alive. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'What, the red-headed man?' ordinary clothes on?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm in his power. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened true." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to desk. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself which are rolled in Rotterdam." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to you." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. during which he might have communicated with his friend the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Always." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "You horrify me!" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to which we had just quitted. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "What then?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Sholtos." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On for its centre. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." second." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced business in the City. She little knew what. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. companion imperturbably. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "To ruin me." "I shall be delighted." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "And now?" I asked. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Perhaps I have." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we appeal." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, what these perils are?" you for a few hours?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and me. You must get home instantly and act." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Very much so." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord open." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I was sure that I might rely on you." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as closely." "No." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which on in his house." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, unprofitable." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I cannot imagine." "'Certainly not. But why?' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "'Yes, it was gone.' had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I will do it." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is used to be." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "No, I had a dozen." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, not fit the lock." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Dr. Becher's." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of few hundred pounds.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New desk. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "And now?" I asked. front of me. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "But you were on a friendly footing?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very to-night?' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be few hundred pounds.' "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband compunction about shooting them down." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend silent! Oh, he will be silent!' whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who shadow pass over his face as I spoke. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' a good hundred miles off by now." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his good-night and bustled off upon her way. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he intrusion of other matters." what is your own theory as to what took place?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'Stolen!' he cried.