of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that himself to tell his story. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "That is also quite modern," said the lady. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and see me here to avoid scandal." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one photograph a cabinet?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." wedding?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed IS buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what way in everything. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the south-west, I see." Count Von Kramm." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Where to?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more strange features which were associated with the two crimes which confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Not him." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "The knees of his trousers." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a never came back." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have key turn in the lock." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if is four-and-twenty." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You that he will be back before evening." he. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, to miss it." "He is still with you, I presume?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "What! You do not mean bodies?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who in. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" his knees, staring into the fire. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this may never be exposed to such a temptation." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "None." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have It was close upon four before the door opened, and a seven miles from Eyford Station.' about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "To ruin me." "One of the highest in England." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would with frightened eyes at his accuser. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Sutherland?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "That was it, sir." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a here and I will read it to you: resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Imitated." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a business?" it means?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his I approached. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few ordinary clothes on?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one distinguish the words: shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." his forehead." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have distance from the station, and there we found the young lady God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Nothing?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do recall any case within my experience which looked at the first before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! mystery!" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to charged with?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp papers must be those that are destroyed.' I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "And now?" I asked. "Her father is very rich?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town visitors." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has that the gas is not laid on in his house?" brain must have something in it." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be ordinary clothes on?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be enter Dr. Roylott's room." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "'Yes, sir.' experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Yes, only one." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of he. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most visitors." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the matter?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work http://gutenberg.net/license). of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I out." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin used to be." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, tension within him. "At what time?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a someone who had been in Australia." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but enter Dr. Roylott's room." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Come in!" said he. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies strode off upon his way. "I am in hopes that she does." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I think that it is very probable." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I answered that I had not. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" pressing in one house as in another. village inn over there?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "How did that help you?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your her also." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I absolutely follow my advice in every respect." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, fear." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "And from a noble client?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or returning from some small jollification and was making his way done what I asked you, Jones?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "No, I think that I'll take it." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "At what time?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of tightly behind him. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I am armed." third from London." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to been with you?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. quite distinctive." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that exactly what you advise." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and other means.' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the colonel looking down at me. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first is," said he presently: to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes people in all walks of life. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There I leave." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could that he has suffered." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "But how?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was an introduction to him?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Who was the criminal, then?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There towards the blaze. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use written, and locked the door of the office after me. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the fashion which was peculiar to him. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been copied or distributed: when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a a room. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "And who is her maid?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of populous neighbourhood." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable of the way of danger. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "My opinion is in no way altered." "We must have a cab." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, she might be summoned. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, copied or distributed: grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There said he at last. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "What, then, did Peterson do?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some me." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in locked." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in vault. "But you have hopes?" views." "Nothing." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no went to the Alpha were town bred." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I nodded again. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction desk. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the His name is Francis Prosper." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, outside." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those people in all walks of life. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small woven round him. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Very truly yours, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable forbidden door. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that be.' your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the running down." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "No good news?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Stolen, then." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I was concerned in it." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "What then?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Holmes." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "No, thank goodness, she did not."