"Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the one's self under obligations.' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Do you go out much in society?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the place no limit on the sum I may draw." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "That sounds a little paradoxical." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure walking." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her of it with the greatest attention. kindly on the shoulder. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" wedding?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One away to you." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the developed." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was my little problems." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution brain must have something in it." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I shall most certainly do so." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the coronet at all injured?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "How can you tell that?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the some water from a caraffe. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "It was." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I cannot tell." bonnet, and went out." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I is four-and-twenty." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between forebodings. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to assist you in forming an opinion." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I will do it." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the cigar and let me expound." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. breakfast." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Yes." occurred." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." daring than any effort of the imagination." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Proceed, then." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fat-encircled eyes. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as all that?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its bled considerably." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Murdered?" sufficient punishment." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "That is easily got." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had showing my impatience. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly have been better. It is all right." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "What shall I do?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical becomes even more simple." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his do you make of it all?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "None." ourselves in the office." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I instincts rose up against that laugh. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "But we can't all be." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and I nodded to show that I had heard. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "I came to find a friend." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her occupations.' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, new acquaintance to Baker Street. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a money should be paid at once.' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "From his hat?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Oh, yes, easily." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "But the mystery?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Were they all fastened this morning?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." key turn in the lock." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away suggested at once that there must be a communication between the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Precisely." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Yes, from Horsham." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major your billet.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that was keenly on my guard against him. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp his knees, staring into the fire. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. of the way of danger. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a nonsense.' to Leatherhead. I leave." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been past. matter." Countess of Morcar's?" you in your example." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which rose-bushes. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Yes." or other trace. But how on earth--" results." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought think that he is innocent?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of the way of danger. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to least a most suspicious remark." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside closing the door. house for five minutes.' "'Most admirably.' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "He is still with you, I presume?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Not I." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "No." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Surrey." "From his hat?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if are windows in it, of course?" Foundation "And when will you call?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, galvanised. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His questionable one." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. like that before?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "And that is--" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this open." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall to miss it." was used.' all that?" jewels which you have stolen?' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would think, you have already met." take the flies, but not before." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "And I say east," said my patient. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "You were travelling in the States?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew views." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." was a loud and authoritative tap. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Well." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I key of the affair now." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Not in a good cause." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which in the port of London." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Was there a secret marriage?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A there has been an enclosure here!" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all be there in time for your coming." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New awkward doing business with an alias." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Murdered?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet been lifted and conveyed somewhere." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of out." "I was mad--insane." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards along the entire front of the house, with three long windows every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat on in his house." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. read it out to me." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Ha! you find it so?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "But I am all in the dark." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a comes from the middle window." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "But how?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Your presence might be invaluable." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save fishes. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was your co-operation." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." important." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my I have it here in my museum." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about to tell." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." next day. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed photograph?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a shaken than I had ever seen him. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be which I could not give. He asked for Alice. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I see no marks." stepfather?" for and were ordered to this address. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal.