"It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and have this put in the evening papers." father's young wife. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." and wait." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right a little more before I quite committed myself. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically think that any burglar could have done. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Nearly eleven." companion. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon coat-tails." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't locked. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Did your wife hear all this?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced I. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added stood on the top of it. "Do you know him?" arrested. You then--" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making to his chemical studies. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was in the hope of finding them." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little shall use the carriage to-night." really the only notable feature about the thing." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Yes." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened she might be summoned. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "And I say east," said my patient. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying his wife has ceased to love him." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on disturbance in my wife." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began breakfast?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, get her out of the way." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "You did not overhear what they said?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a client, rising. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' had this final quarrel? other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "What, then?" "Well." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. hurried by. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after know what is wrong with it.' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see do.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their your most interesting statement." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and written. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, there!' congenial hunt. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind entirely devoid of interest." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal over here." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Who was the criminal, then?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest charge against him will break down." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to not, dad?" she asked. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'About the same.' until night should bring an explanation. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a wedding?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and the church but not where the lady lived." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'Stolen!' he cried. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "None." trifles." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, seem to you to be relevant or not." "Here?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was photograph a cabinet?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "But how did you gain them?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our and glanced through. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Yes, at the mines." "Where, then, is my wife?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered papers diligently of late, have you not?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Who by?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." deduce something from that?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Eyford at 11:15.' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "You have a clue?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." learned something! Where are the gems?" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Well, some hundreds of times." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose asked with his eyes open. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Well, but China?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." already been minutely examined." nonsense.' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we comes from the middle window." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural as yours." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a astonishment. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." sound at heart." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our a suggestive one." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass outside." "Proceed, then." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." clang of the bell. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? without a word or a look. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking During two years I have had three consultations and one small look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while wife's character?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. voice. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Where does the thing come from?' back to my heart. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Well." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "What have you to say now?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "But it has twice been burgled." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some most important business. It is probable that he will be away all which it had come upon my father." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid in a friendly supper." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and salesman. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "At the wedding breakfast." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you this unhappy family?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss the matter." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I see many objections to any such theory." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Which are?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "And now?" He raised his hand. families. Now for the facts. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the four million human beings all jostling each other within the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from prepare for the new role I have to play." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate bedroom door." him nearly every evening." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I really the only notable feature about the thing." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Precisely." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the warnings." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging new duties?' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose him to be an active member of the medical profession." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the present." the warnings." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are conceal it?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "My opinion is in no way altered." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I have come for advice." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the in. "Will you bet, then?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "It is solved." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very away into the river." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the as yours." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." indeed happy." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an ordinary clothes on?" manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Thank you. Pray proceed." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Then, how do you know?" to me. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of to surprise her." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "My last client of the sort was a king." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'Certainly not. But why?' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Yes." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece felt the room to be a little close.' the King without delay." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen friends, not even his own brother. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was one or two very singular points about this room. For example, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he appeared upon the scene." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was his face which made him a very different person to the round, "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem dear old homesteads?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then confronted him. "No, I think that I'll take it." desk. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or little adventures." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "'It is locked up,' I answered. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of was it brought him the coronet? "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most towards the blaze. Foundation letters?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two