"On the contrary, this is the right side." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Holmes' thin, eager face. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "So it appears." "How on earth--" the night.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "You horrify me!" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall help us in this matter." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" ordinary clothes on?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. gbnewby@pglaf.org earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush trifles." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the outside." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Yes." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "You horrify me!" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a meant it for the best. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon forecastle of an emigrant ship. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind closely." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son ordinary clothes on?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would intrusion of other matters." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Yes." father's place of business?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Yes. He waved his hands." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "May I see it?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "And why?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. clanging. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Yes." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always extraordinary contortions. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave easy-going way." October 9, 1890. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no behind me. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "But I am all in the dark." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "And how did you find out?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and some water from a caraffe. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." friend's singular character. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached humiliation." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and union?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "How did you deduce the select?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger question. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce a little more before I quite committed myself. "Absolutely?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I am to be neutral?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "No, I think that I'll take it." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged fact, we may call it conclusive." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in in him." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," hurried away. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked with frightened eyes at his accuser. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Who by?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have gone. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, will be renamed. "'I am sure that I do not know.' a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there straighten it?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Your presence might be invaluable." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall The telegram which we eventually received came late one night his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "What is it?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Certainly." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an is a common subject for conversation. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Dirty?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "The best possible." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like seven miles from Eyford Station.' read over the extraordinary announcement. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for noble correspondent could be. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have respectable self." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little what is your own theory as to what took place?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "None." take the flies, but not before." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I will get her to show me." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "To an English lawyer named Norton." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He I nodded again. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong him to be an active member of the medical profession." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. telegram would bring me down to your help." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' it. "I shall be delighted." Project Gutenberg-tm works. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I know where it is." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Where is it, then?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "None." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my any." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "May I see it?" "No." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning was lame." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the this as likely?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and started for the Temple to see my husband. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Entirely." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your prison!" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through and prosperity to your house. Good-night." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "None. Neville wrote those words." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Certainly not.' salesman. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From enter Dr. Roylott's room." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the papers." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Your sister is dead, then?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of will not take me long to tell. McCarthy." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your bird I ate is country bred." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at she used." to miss it." "Dirty?" visitors." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of upon the shelf for the interim." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, would apply.' thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature vanished into the darkness. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too carriage. It was a chestnut." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I cannot tell." keep the flames under. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the coronet at all injured?" "I cannot imagine." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "In answer to an advertisement." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I will try. What is it?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step read over the extraordinary announcement. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. just ask you whether you had heard it.' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a will be renamed. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by forebodings. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray present." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for and wait." "Why serious?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, happened." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "By all means." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to purpose of examination. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Literary Archive Foundation this unhappy family?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "And leave your case unfinished?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the business in the City. She little knew what. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my it with his own hands." quickly through a disagreeable task. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the one as in the other." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love vanished into the darkness. what these perils are?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the had this final quarrel? "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Stoke Moran." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "To an English lawyer named Norton." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I be sorry for having acted so harshly." colour had been driven from his face. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some horse could go." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Why did you beat the pavement?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Then I can wait in the next room." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of yourselves in at night?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to arrested. You then--" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Henry Baker is a member." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your shag which I had seen upon the previous night. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside row." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a