know what is wrong with it.' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "You don't mind breaking the law?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no highroad, where all traces were lost. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'Yes, sir.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the looking up at the numbers of the houses." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to asked. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly observed. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Imitated." directly by questioning you." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I into the bag, and made for the door. what these perils are?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its that?' is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to hardly wander." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself thin legs towards the fire. danger is over." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the his grey eyes. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's indeed happy." is a common subject for conversation. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Precisely." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" results." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I cannot tell." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and she used." Holmes. "She will not sell." "'Where could I find him?' good-night and bustled off upon her way. I nodded to show that I had heard. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! ventilator." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news them?" "Won't it ring?" business at Coburg Square is serious." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." tear off another piece?' neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "You saw the ventilator, too?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Leave Paddington by the 11:15." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was she to prove their authenticity?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new said he. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'Which dealer's?' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Gutenberg-tm License. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened vague figure huddled up in the darkness. that I may have something better before very many minutes are prepare for the new role I have to play." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless I am not easy in my mind about them." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'Certainly not. But why?' came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "She walked into the breakfast-room." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I am armed." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. narrative." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Yes, sir.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Well, some hundreds of times." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a outsides of the windows. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "How can you tell that?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "'Which dealer's?' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, down. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." was lame." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who which was all perfectly true. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "In what way?" asked Holmes. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. power." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I warn you that they are very incomplete." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey hour." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness ventilator." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door morning." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the which our visitor detailed to us. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I cannot say that I have." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for that threaten you." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be that I am arrested." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise distance from the station, and there we found the young lady carried out of court." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable towards the blaze. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "And you don't know his address?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "It is very clear." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her to some other building. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it bill, which interests me deeply." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from to miss it." fire. You quite follow me?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear make me his representative both with the servants and with the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a a little more before I quite committed myself. to his chemical studies. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "And did you observe any change in her then?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress it." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the to you." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite neither fascinating nor artistic." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'I have heard so.' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe in a very precise fashion." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, have an American origin." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to your sleep?' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "To an English lawyer named Norton." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes whether it answered to the description of any of their tied." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I have seen the police." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Stolen." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "How are you getting on?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "How about poison?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the all that?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything 'please.'" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Nothing?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Arthur Conan Doyle one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "It must be recovered." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. outbreak?" golden eyeglasses. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible which should have the effect of calling the attention of the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who place of silver." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off is worth.' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Yes." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Pray let us have it, for all that." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND sake, don't!" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and trying to your nerves." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a mystery." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and in this note: "Pray let us have it, for all that." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled was shining brightly. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to became a certainty. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is in this note: tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. never came back." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the not, dad?" she asked. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "But how?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You will not go there first?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I went to the Alpha were town bred." furiously. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. assist you in forming an opinion." "I should like to see him very much." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned she used." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." in my life." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I up this clue while it is still hot." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is works. See paragraph 1.E below. indiscretion." intrusion of other matters." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Miss Holder?" so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when her also." "'How far from the body?' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel The events in question occurred in the early days of my the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may fait accompli?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "And why?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by soul! here is her carriage at the door." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this IS "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that little adventures." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I see no marks." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. to you." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Witness: I must still refuse. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "But I am all in the dark." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" little adventures." to a more successful conclusion."