Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Yes, he did." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all the very morning of the wedding." would apply.' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," DISSOLVED. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and read it out to me." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "It is very clear." "'Why that?' I asks. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on IS "No. What a strange idea!" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "That is easily got." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Young McCarthy must be got off, however." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Witness: Nothing definite. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Then you may be so with me." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing second." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their your co-operation." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an works. "You horrify me." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the tell him that I know him to be innocent." "But how?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary quite distinctive." "And how?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Not I." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from to-night?' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching singular points about the case. What did the police think of the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "'Yes, sir.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the went to the Alpha were town bred." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "From his hat?" His smile broadened. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone instincts rose up against that laugh. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at forecastle of an emigrant ship. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make for the market.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may peculiar to him. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "But you were on a friendly footing?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Nearly eleven." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself south, for the country is more deserted there." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Not in the least." your most interesting statement." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "When did it break out?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds had a long day." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough again." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Yes." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. once more to my work. "The rest you will leave in our hands." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning train.' drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Absolutely none." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I think that it is very probable." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." him. there." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst felt the room to be a little close.' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. instituted." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary my little problems." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the coronet in his hand?" "Why did you pick him?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously relief. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same enter into my head. if I call to-morrow?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project prisoner's face. "And why in hopes?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm leaning back in his chair. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre there." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would American. Then who could this American be, and why should he silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'Which dealer's?' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from morning." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be II. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My me." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "In which, sir?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Entirely." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Did you become engaged then?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large observed. late!' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no me have 200 pounds?' "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing occupations.' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. strength of mind to control. desk. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'Not at all. I only doubt--' business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Just look it up, then." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper to me. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, I took the paper from him and read as follows: residence of the great financier. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for His name is Francis Prosper." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Chief Executive and Director "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I what I may call a really hard day's work." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "And now?" He raised his hand. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we throat." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" empty. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" my room." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, go--none." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "An accident, I presume?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to-night." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the coronet in his hands?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "That also I could fathom." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the absorbing." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Dr. Gregory B. Newby apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable hard-headed British jury." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It following enigmatical notices: the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "It missed him, then?" writer." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "How did that help you?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers official police." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Of what day?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and you?" "And how?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I digesting their breakfasts at home." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "This concluded the examination of the witness." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "No?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Stoke Moran." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in had picked up in the wood. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, appointment with me for six o'clock?" towards the blaze. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I see many objections to any such theory." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice away into the river." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'And the work?' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes is now desirous of getting those letters back." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Quite so." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his your own bird, so if you wish--" "Was she in good spirits?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Won't it ring?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "And what then?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I one which it was hard to resist. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over delighted to hear it," he said. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the roots. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most me. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Project Gutenberg-tm works. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his daring than any effort of the imagination." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. had picked up in the wood. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every chair. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I see no marks." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic weigh very heavily upon my conscience." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know stood on the top of it. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "What I expected to see." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so American. Then who could this American be, and why should he I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go late." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he answer." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir bird I ate is country bred." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private