to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "We have tried and failed." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "And your father? Did you tell him?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew there were so many in the whole country as were brought together no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was fluttered off among the others. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Why that?' I asks. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold characteristics, but those are the more obvious." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the feature." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I am in hopes that she does." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his burst out into a roar of laughter. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Yes, I have one waiting." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same mystery!" scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were time." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed returning from some small jollification and was making his way months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I guessed as much." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor see me here to avoid scandal." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I should like to see him very much." "Where to?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "But how will you look?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Always." business came to an end." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if business at Coburg Square is serious." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and cigars in their mouths. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very weighed down with some great anxiety. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." standing smiling on the door-step. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the people in all walks of life. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and me have 200 pounds?' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, his fortune, and I went back to pa. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "He said too much." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. thirty. "What!" he roared. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "The Coroner: What do you mean? struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Is purely nominal.' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. letters?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I saw her in conversation with her maid." o'clock is it?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she name is different." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her cup of tea. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "You have the photograph?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." were new raised from a basin. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and files of the old papers, following the future career of every rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "It is possible." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We it with his own hands." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of experiences." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless photograph?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin new duties?' Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, heavily into it. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, occurred." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "How often?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Very murderous indeed." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding comes from the middle window." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three thin, with a long, sharp nose?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's felt?" it. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able six. Come in!" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in charged with?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "To the police?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera instincts rose up against that laugh. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "But you have hopes?" man. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Who by?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "But your client--" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the business at Coburg Square is serious." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in my special province." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. pressing in one house as in another. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "She will not sell." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly fat-encircled eyes. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried shoulder; "he's all right." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "So I have heard." "When did it break out?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." corner of the building. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Here?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at I am not easy in my mind about them." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is carpenter." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out and a shock of very red hair. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis unkempt, staring out at me. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope himself in a perplexing position. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the closely." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "By all means." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his leaning back in his chair. it." you." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you would apply.' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "But how did you gain them?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then questionable one." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Cross for the Continent." possible that we could bring him back to her? quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Yes." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main chambers. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I shall most certainly do so." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, I approached. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." hands. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching read it out to me." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so anything to a woman, for she would have her way." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, never came back." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me she to prove their authenticity?" coroner's jury." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "We must sit without light. He would see it through the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I guessed as much." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. was not a bird to be seen there. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Count Von Kramm." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Holmes." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your point our research must commence, and we will begin it by was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it both be extremely obliged.' "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg dear old homesteads?" young Openshaw's." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Breckinridge is his name." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. than to us. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Yes, at the mines." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'Is purely nominal.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Certainly." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to present." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and in this note: words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." rat could hardly pass through." experiences." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is clang of the bell. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in said Mr. Holder. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the child." "Tired-looking or fresh?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to ways of our fellow-men." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Who was the criminal, then?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his ordinary clothes on?" wife's character?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "But his lameness?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," your billet.' at my remark. appeal." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Precisely." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? call you and give you the chance." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Frequently." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Yes." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the I held the little printed slip to the light. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium during the last few years, and there are many noble families to