registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house and have this put in the evening papers." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Very good.' "'Most admirably.' "Yes." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "What then?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I room?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and prosperity to your house. Good-night." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the newspaper selections." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "It must be recovered." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide chill to my heart. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Leadenhall Street--and--" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed is now desirous of getting those letters back." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "We have tried and failed." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon asked with his eyes open. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked husband's writing, madam." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'Where could I find him?' "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him call it cruel." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a until night should bring an explanation. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining geese which you supplied to the Alpha." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and too. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and with frightened eyes at his accuser. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "No sign of it?" all-comprehensive glances. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave gigantic client. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the inner apartment." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out fait accompli?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the bottom.' "And from a noble client?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "He slept on the premises." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "What office?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "And that is--" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Whose house is it?" "I have solved it." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Holmes' room. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I say that I have solved it." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "My opinion is in no way altered." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would three fields round his house, and there he would take his departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." sufficient punishment." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" of them has the shutters up.' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you bachelor.' not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we visitors." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my indeed happy." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. served to weaken the effect. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup which it had come upon my father." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' ourselves in the office." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as brandy and water within his reach. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Chief Executive and Director have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Absolutely none." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat better grown goose." I held the little printed slip to the light. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. the devil!" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "On the contrary, this is the right side." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Ten will be early enough." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Come in!" said Holmes. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I see many objections to any such theory." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'No, I know no one in these parts.' quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "That also I could fathom." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had this as likely?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Yes, it was gone.' the King without delay." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Ha! you find it so?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "That also I could fathom." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our overpowering excitement and concern. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Precisely." nonsense.' nothing with him." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called know what is wrong with it.' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. particular state visit http://pglaf.org re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty sufficient punishment." goes." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "None." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I a monotonous occupation." "What! a murderous attack?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through miles off. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the room while you explain this matter?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Cross for the Continent." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when been." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "But how will you look?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in business?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "10th. John Swain cleared. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a or in danger--" "What steps will you take?" I asked. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit little trying to do so much typewriting?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Of what?" to-night." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful humiliation." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "She walked into the breakfast-room." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Pool. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "And the murderer?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the nonsense.' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use strength." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had that threaten you." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might attention." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. late!' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, enter Dr. Roylott's room." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ is," said he presently: I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "You forget that I know nothing about it." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." seven miles from Eyford Station.' I nodded to show that I had heard. "The Cedars?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "It was an hour's good drive." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the arrangements." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I never have." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of help us in this matter." cigars in the box." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. all?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Then let me do so?' terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "My last client of the sort was a king." of them has the shutters up.' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can interests were the same as his." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the a room. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. his fortune, and I went back to pa. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Who by?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you room?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter lost nothing by them." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to change my dress. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. night.' said he. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "But she could not love him." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "What shall I do?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." "So I have heard." "And for present expenses?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It is no ordinary one." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should me have 200 pounds?' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with is so. I know all about McCarthy." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those sake, don't!" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now train.' for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "What!" he roared. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide respectable self." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at my former friend and companion. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of than to us. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in during which he might have communicated with his friend the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in in his hands." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall whole matter to your consideration." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Eh? What was that?"