stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "In what way?" asked Holmes. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you prison!" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Was there a secret marriage?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'Yes, I promise.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Then I do not see the point." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted away into the river." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Your French gold?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Yes. He waved his hands." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott of Mr. Rucastle's." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert any." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Nothing." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned into the room. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for gives a meaning to it." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope newspaper selections." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Not him." the coronet in his hands?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "One?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the was a perfect sample of the class. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of writer." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of system of imprisonment?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Street. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes later, upon the night of May 2nd." you in yours." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "The doctor?" "But to whom?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come been able to understand it, in a very few words. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "'And what salary do you ask?' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I will, Miss Turner." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. 1.F. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the address that was given us in the advertisement. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Not in the least." business matters.' "There are none." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. over with notes and figures. it with his own hands." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "And now?" He raised his hand. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to a good hundred miles off by now." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "How did you deduce the select?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its directors, with the result that you have seen." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Yes, it was twisted." Again Holmes raved in the air. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had miles off. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "It is to him that this trophy belongs." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when strong and stiff." in this note: "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "He might." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. golden eyeglasses. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to is now desirous of getting those letters back." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "And for present expenses?" and laid it on the table. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, about. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very definite end. rat could hardly pass through." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each forehead. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in him nearly every evening." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Nothing?" "Witness: I must still refuse. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the child?' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Yes, at the mines." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "In which, sir?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing father's place of business?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and the loss of it. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of as the one I chose?' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where touch that coronet?' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband have been better. It is all right." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." tell him that I know him to be innocent." nonsense.' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I am to be neutral?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he from the brougham. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes room. "'And what salary do you ask?' "That is possible." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "How long did she speak to this Alice?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in assist you in forming an opinion." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I am still in the dark." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of records." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "No, finished." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I promise," said Holmes. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the again, where I was soon asleep. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is wedding?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. beg that you will break it off." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the side-table." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. a very grave face. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the gone before you can get him to hospital." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "To ruin me." prison!" "It was." drove away. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you the little opening for the ventilator is." "Certainly, madam." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of October 9, 1890. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I cannot imagine." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. if she died from some sudden fright." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock there when the Rucastles went away." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches have got?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler straighten it?" did not hear it also.' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the Red-headed League." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "But you can know nothing of this?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end done what I asked you, Jones?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may room had already been engaged for us. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the hopeless attempt at recovering them." bonnet, and went out." "To ruin me." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting which it had come upon my father." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your presented which may be striking and bizarre without being lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND sneer upon his pale face. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining clang of the bell. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being ready to-morrow?' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, in the hope of finding them." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the happened." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never prove to be little relation between the different incidents of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I have come for advice." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a companion imperturbably. "What! You do not mean bodies?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, door?" a very grave face. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "I promise," said Holmes. Farm upon the left." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred grasp, he hurried from the room. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "By train from Waterloo." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I don't say that. Perhaps." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my easy-going way." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Well, but China?" "That is easily got." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Project Gutenberg-tm works. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Deserted you?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly public press." keep the flames under. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even newspaper selections." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'You cannot say what it was?' and have this put in the evening papers." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my cigars in the box." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing even so self-evident a thing as that." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Pray continue your narrative." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my national property. I was determined that the law should have its distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" experiences." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and roused himself from his reverie. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes.