Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the devil!" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "It is solved." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope with you alone." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and this as likely?" key of the affair now." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. furiously. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was will be renamed. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. do.' be.' "How did you trace it, then?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should pierced for earrings?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in in the hope of finding them." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very respectable self." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Mary, has deserted me." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yes, they were peculiar boots." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Edgeware Road. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and capable of preserving a secret.' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so wife's character?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. enough to aid us in our search." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither I approached. "It is very clear." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" question. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, out." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Ha! you find it so?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by me. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to could not have written that. It is the German who is so Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I would give my fortune to have them back." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, I nodded to show that I had heard. bearing upon the case." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him had died away into the silence from which it rose. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and very old mansion. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as comes from the middle window." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret quickly through a disagreeable task. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "I should be immensely obliged to you." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face entirely lost his self-respect." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off colonel looking down at me. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the stable lane now." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "If so, much may have happened between." only touch the interest." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time you for a few hours?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "And why?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" wife's character?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one their singular warning or token before them when starting upon hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an morning." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly lamp. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Never to return." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "How did you deduce the select?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or strength in the others." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the inner apartment." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The be.' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'Certainly not.' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my that you can jump it.' Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. a little more before I quite committed myself. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, second." of receipt of the work. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be I nodded again. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Young McCarthy must be got off, however." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and put his glass in his pocket. "And leave your case unfinished?" colour had been driven from his face. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the best of training." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Yes, it was twisted." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Ample." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, despaired of." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried there were one or two details which were new to me. But the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which not, dad?" she asked. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us power." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at that?' he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might light and attacked it." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to one of them." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Very much so." time." door?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train was it brought him the coronet? you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "But the mystery?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "And why in hopes?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Ha! you find it so?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "But who is he?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, have established a very serious case against the son of the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her for and were ordered to this address. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. thin legs towards the fire. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "How are you getting on?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "But you would not advise me to refuse?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It leave you to your papers for a little." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that are, and they are waiting for us." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see I shall communicate with you." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, you." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "What are they?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. other, as fresh and trim as possible. felt the room to be a little close.' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old nice household for a young lady." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "If so, much may have happened between." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "The King of Scandinavia." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "No." the inner apartment." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it populous neighbourhood." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Project Gutenberg-tm works. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "How often?" such attractions and accomplishments?' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Certainly." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." back alive. place of silver." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "No, but the enclosure is." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "But you can know nothing of this?" colonel looking down at me. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand to-morrow." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who