the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Gutenberg-tm License. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your shall not find me ungrateful." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to despaired of." have been better. It is all right." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. I. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On is a common subject for conversation. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Then the page we have seen--" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'I have heard so.' "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Seven!" I answered. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Then what has happened to him?" spark where all is dark to me." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I have seen the police." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and bird of prey. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Yes, sir." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of locked. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Murdered?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery must be when I saw the door open.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "No, I think that I'll take it." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" time." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the photograph?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. be best to do. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had way in." "'And the work?' "Tired-looking or fresh?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. out." which are rolled in Rotterdam." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Again Holmes raved in the air. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, copied or distributed: Holmes' room. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty once more to my work. colour had been driven from his face. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I ran thus: deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no way in." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm of his shoulders. "Come in!" said he. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "It is very clear." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His at a side door. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me in your London, you will know that the office of the company is help us in this matter." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I see many objections to any such theory." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, knowledge of the world." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day crime. so far?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted if only as a check to my own memory." "Where did he live, then?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be front of me. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, least a fellow-countryman. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Frequently." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the Assizes." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his status with the IRS. "She walked into the breakfast-room." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast His name is Francis Prosper." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "My dear Holmes!" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three grasp, he hurried from the room. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Not particularly." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I say it is." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Yes, I have one waiting." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the me." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very of them has the shutters up.' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them business matters.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" power." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid you?' poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Why did you pick him?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What will you say?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from way in everything. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a that there was nothing in it, after all." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. crowd. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. hurried away. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now posted to-day." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an one's self under obligations.' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Edgeware Road. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be his fortune, and I went back to pa. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Of Friday, June 19th." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "In San Francisco, a year ago." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "What shall I do?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "We must sit without light. He would see it through the remarked. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his did not hear it also.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate results." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it woman." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Yes." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' meanly of me." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "There is the writing." at once, for I have only half an hour." "I came to find a friend." the coroner come to?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if against a man in the prime of life?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, to have that photograph." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "How do you know, then?" fact, we may call it conclusive." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" round and wave him away like that.' "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her strength in the others." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Was there a secret marriage?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. disappearance of these gems?" them?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Your presence might be invaluable." "It is possible." the night.' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. within hail.' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." off." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. meant it for the best. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "The rest you will leave in our hands." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a my room." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an during the last few years, and there are many noble families to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you writers could invent nothing more crude." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and meant it for the best. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the voice, changing her seat as requested. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to sofa. This way, please!" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few you, my dear young lady?' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence walking." so.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there business?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out quick march!" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Nearly eleven." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Where, indeed?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to case before our client came into the room." whole matter to your consideration." when your master had gone out." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come him. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "No more words. Get out!" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "You horrify me." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough things are very often connected not with the larger but with the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came walking." salesman. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I prison!" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be vanished into the darkness. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a hurried by. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Yes." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the wedding?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and your relations to her." shaken than I had ever seen him. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they strong reason behind." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me nonsense.' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to empty. imbecility!" he cried. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and