"And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "You have carte blanche." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, indeed which he could not unravel. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the situation." tell me that you intended to go into harness." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it During two years I have had three consultations and one small He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch rose-bushes. might have a private word with us. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Never." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and desk. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered electronic works "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the Assizes." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. that I can to serve you." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural reach." have been better. It is all right." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the golden eyeglasses. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'What do you call purely nominal?' stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your best detective that ever lived. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "No good news?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the Red-headed League." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Married! When?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that could go. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "It is true that I have been generally successful." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'You doubt its value?' he asked. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "That is unusual in a young girl." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "You think that he is dead?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Precisely so. But how--" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "That sounds a little paradoxical." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of should be so warm over such a trifle." voice. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Edgeware Road. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Well, some hundreds of times." carriage. It was a chestnut." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that possible that we could bring him back to her? Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Pray let us have it, for all that." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, feature." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "How on earth--" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began back to my heart. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out might help us?" a room. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. joking. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was London for the present?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting that there was nothing in it, after all." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Eh? What was that?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in his face. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the wife's character?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. for securing the situation." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of started for the Temple to see my husband. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. thirty. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is populous neighbourhood." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Dirty?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "My stepfather's business papers." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Mrs. Toller serenely. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the driver. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Not him." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and put his glass in his pocket. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker careless servant girl?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." will not take me long to tell. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, to a light-house. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any to take care of herself." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you awaited us upon the table. the bottom.' "So I have heard." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a noting anything else of interest. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated here." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'I shall certainly be there.' sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is this unhappy family?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the little opening for the ventilator is." to have been novel and of interest." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every case before our client came into the room." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different better in every way that they should make their position a little the inner apartment." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Holmes' room. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to forehead. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's chance at all." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Is he quiet?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary is worth.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a neither fascinating nor artistic." bachelor.' servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Watson," he said cordially. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent him and tried to hold him back. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "And I to find an enemy." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, indeed happy." to some other building. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, good-night and bustled off upon her way. copied or distributed: direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" house for five minutes.' your co-operation." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Your French gold?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon recall any case within my experience which looked at the first him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private union?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Then, as to money?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'As governess?' Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the said Mr. Holder. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. even of instruction." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "But not more so than I to find you." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'Ten to two.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the is four-and-twenty." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the coroner come to?" from you?" success. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for telegram would bring me down to your help." "What do you mean?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "And now?" I asked. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." it means?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "She walked into the breakfast-room." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but events than those which have happened in my own family." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in out of this horrible affair." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "What then?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came again." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to States. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror their singular warning or token before them when starting upon quick march!" "'Stolen!' he cried. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at events, Mr. Windibank!" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "No, I had a dozen." "I was afraid that you were engaged." wedding?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the ready to-morrow?' crowd. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Literary Archive Foundation in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped forbidden door. hereditary King of Bohemia." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "The Cedars?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I is a common subject for conversation. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, wedding?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No himself in a perplexing position. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the like that before?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his unclasping of his long thin hands. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever learned something! Where are the gems?" stammered. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at it." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the waste of energy." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and it need not interfere very much with one's other Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "And what did you learn from him?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped for its centre. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "We have tried and failed." This is what he says: "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the door?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "To the police?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which himself to tell his story. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life that you wished to speak to me?' practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the