your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of was feeling which was the fattest.' words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Dark enough and sinister enough." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Yes, at the mines." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was which it had come upon my father." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been but preventing her from injuring another. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" closing the door. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Edgeware Road. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before disturbance in my wife." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case friends, not even his own brother. suspect him." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "It is possible." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There remarked. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "So I heard. You have him here?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry presented more singular features than that which was associated "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "There are none." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "But his left-handedness." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I cannot tell." rose-bushes. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I have my revolver," said I. conceal it?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save outsides of the windows. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police impression behind it as though a window had gently closed tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Did you observe the colour?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and looked back. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose next day. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which whatever might befall. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet morning." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. papers." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Proceed, then." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. my special province." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "And how did you verify them?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported article?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, hour." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Countess of Morcar's?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to 'I should be able to look after that for you.' here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by over here." "'There is a drive, then?' we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until side. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and to tackle the facts." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Yes, all." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I disturbance in my wife." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Has he come with you to-night?" "Well." take the flies, but not before." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom have been better. It is all right." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was later, upon the night of May 2nd." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, undoubtedly my uncle's." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, this man was intellectual?" guilty parties." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "And how did you verify them?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Perfectly so." "'Certainly,' I answered. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was lame." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Have you good authority for what you say?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Nor running a chance of arrest?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and you in your example." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of so far?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." call the police, let the police find what they can.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate chamber." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he said he, "my real name is James Ryder." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." call for it in person on Monday morning.' spare." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in purpose of examination. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "9th. McCauley cleared. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, me upon any point which I do not make clear." yet." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "What, then?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once respectable self." what I may call a really hard day's work." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the stable lane now." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six to that open window." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of laugh and put his lips to my ear. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather drawing your inferences." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "It is very clear." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice whether it answered to the description of any of their this truth that in these little records of our cases which you attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were James Windibank. Voilà tout!" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without way: I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a third from London." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I have come for advice." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Oh, fresh and glossy." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so was once confined in the cab my mission was practically And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than you?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." individual and becomes the badge of a society." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Nothing?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes girl said." Arthur Conan Doyle Eyford." "But I have heard all that you have heard." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Yes, they were peculiar boots." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You horrify me." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "No sign of it?" "It looks newer than the other things?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Won't it ring?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me point our research must commence, and we will begin it by slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was room?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that forehead. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open DAMAGE. was feeling which was the fattest.' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day sound at heart." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round it means?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I will get her to show me." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences views." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and it need not interfere very much with one's other eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. been able to understand it, in a very few words. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Project Gutenberg-tm works. go--none." been with you?" "And who is her maid?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "What office?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. into the room. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "That's no good." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a voice, changing her seat as requested. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. said I. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And how did he make his money?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said other means.' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes relief. of this gang." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it not as remarkable as your advertisement." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, existence." events than those which have happened in my own family." Sutherland. "Never." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between read over the extraordinary announcement. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, shaken than I had ever seen him. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at writing, and yet I know it well." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save to me. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a attention." way: "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Nothing?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Which surely he restored to their owner?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the your most interesting statement." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to legal crime." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in