behind me. "Was he the only applicant?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "To ruin me." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Holmes." girl said." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My to affect your life." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "But he might be a bachelor." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you death." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "My dear Holmes!" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Come in!" said he. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "That is possible." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the I approached. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during of this gang." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "You did not overhear what they said?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his have accepted such a situation. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had prepare for the new role I have to play." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have sofa. This way, please!" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to nice household for a young lady." his cane at the bell-pull. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was DISSOLVED. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'As governess?' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." had a long day." towards the blaze. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled me where it went to?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about cup of tea. "If I can be of use." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "But you have hopes?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he coroner's jury." wedding?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had father's place of business?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which easy-going way." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, crackling voice. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "But you have hopes?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I guessed as much." "Yes." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Yes. He waved his hands." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to call it cruel." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a four million human beings all jostling each other within the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Not yet." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Pool. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "You have a clue?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Upon what point?" chill to my heart. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his writer." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young knowledge of the world." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "And from a noble client?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Where to?' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "It was an hour's good drive." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Never to return." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "It surprised me." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before annoyance, but no jest. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a I took the paper from him and read as follows: here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Well." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my if I call to-morrow?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, through." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a with you?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, to have that photograph." crowd. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the very morning of the wedding." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Oh, fresh and glossy." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out must compliment you." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Ah!" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Ten will be early enough." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Look there!" said he. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Entirely.' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! companion. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. answer." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able wife's character?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in open." cigar and let me expound." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "That you are never beaten." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was than to us. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, that I can to serve you." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Yes, sir." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "No more words. Get out!" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered fish-monger and a tide-waiter." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "And how did he make his money?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to considering the formidable letters which were received by himself who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "That also I could fathom." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that during that time.' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to miles off. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the stable lane now." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two and I shall be with you presently." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Yes." interested in these little problems, and since you are good anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either to-night?' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure it right.' But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny cause to be." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Well, but China?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that time." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have three of the beryls in it, was missing. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." annoyance, but no jest. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "But who is he?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "At what time?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which events, Mr. Windibank!" said he at last. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, there was no need for father to know." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with infinite languor in his face. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if roused himself from his reverie. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his are, I think, all that we need." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Yes." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the devil!" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "My dear Holmes!" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built crackling voice. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Pool. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for direction." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our letters?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" him!" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Have you it here?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Never to return." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear fire. You quite follow me?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" lumber-room." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "None. Neville wrote those words." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could death." "And from a noble client?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, that you saw all that I did." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers not fit the lock." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Stoke Moran." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel directors, with the result that you have seen." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and him to be an active member of the medical profession." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I cannot tell." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could