"Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "That is unusual in a young girl." "But of what society?" "'Certainly not. But why?' "If so, much may have happened between." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell there in twenty minutes." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what if only as a check to my own memory." the tragedy. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master all?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left mystery." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she lumber-room." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Then you may be so with me." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "What then?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "But how?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "And why in hopes?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the experiences." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of ways of our fellow-men." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND cost them two and thirty pounds." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had wedding?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" minor matters until to-morrow." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' nice household for a young lady." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. bare slabs of marble. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Why? What do you mean?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt not, dad?" she asked. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but not within a twentieth part of the market price." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "When did she vanish, then?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a quite distinctive." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and effective." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I stalked out of the room. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the gentleman's clothes. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would been with you?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the south-west, I see." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my made his money." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "It missed him, then?" the loss of it. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "In the cells." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I front of the hall door has given its name to the place. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Pray be precise as to details," said he. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the one as in the other." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "The knees of his trousers." "No, I am descending." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'A dozen yards or so.' new acquaintance to Baker Street. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You your troubles." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many results." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Come in!" said Holmes. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "No bad?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "By no means." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I say that I have solved it." that you wished to speak to me?' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before call you and give you the chance." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very and all of them with the keenest interest. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Was he the only applicant?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "And you can do nothing until then?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his here." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his is a common subject for conversation. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across of receipt of the work. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire have accepted such a situation. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I and it need not interfere very much with one's other Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee ways of our fellow-men." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I cannot tell." present." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Does that suggest anything?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler I nodded again. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was think you a quite exceptional woman." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout individual and becomes the badge of a society." "No, my brougham is waiting." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, desk. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Very much so." lost his Christmas dinner." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Have you good authority for what you say?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs him!" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Was there a secret marriage?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of made him keep the appointment." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Mrs. Toller serenely. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "You did not overhear what they said?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Yes, it would be as well." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "But how did you gain them?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Stoke Moran." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I am sure." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "How on earth--" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the morning and make my own way in the world.' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project daring than any effort of the imagination." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his in a friendly supper." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, of the one which your family is now devouring." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed public press." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on have accepted such a situation. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are conceal it?" who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of locked. "The Coroner: What do you mean? lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on sparkled upon his finger. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the very old mansion. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. opened the door, and slipped through. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Yes." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "And how in the world did you find them?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "One?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty tapping his fingers upon the table. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very morning." "Of Friday, June 19th." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Nothing?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual later, upon the night of May 2nd." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the examine." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "And did you observe any change in her then?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the least a fellow-countryman. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "At what time?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Of what day?" "He said that you could solve anything." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but happened." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Holmes' room. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and have this put in the evening papers." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the roots. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet three of the beryls in it, was missing. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be as noiselessly as she had come. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "To the police?" "And how did he make his money?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that prove to be little relation between the different incidents of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an of." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "He said that you could solve anything." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "On the contrary, this is the right side." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you served to weaken the effect. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Quite so." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That gone. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I answered that I had not. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Doctor, of the paper and the date." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "He is still with you, I presume?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Doctor, of the paper and the date." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Of what?"