"Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was as noiselessly as she had come. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in himself to hunt down. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as union?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then this as likely?" it means?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "To an end?" and the colonel ushered me in. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first it means?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "How are you getting on?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry you." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Then you may entirely rely on me." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are spare." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Pray continue your narrative." the driver. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Game for a morning drive?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is should be so warm over such a trifle." him to be an active member of the medical profession." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine down in his armchair and closing his eyes. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I see no marks." placed his cuttings. danger is over." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. mysterious business." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "What of the rat, then?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is asked with his eyes open. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice one of the states of the Union." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "And what did you see?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic populous neighbourhood." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Texas, I think." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have nights." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Holmes' thin, eager face. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. giving me time to thank him. manager. case before our client came into the room." "Nothing?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the is," said he presently: which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as vault. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "And help." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. there." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I occurred." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the results." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning extraordinary contortions. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them thought that she would have been so carried away." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the in this way: "You horrify me!" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the little opening for the ventilator is." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of becomes even more simple." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the night.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "It is true that I have been generally successful." Project Gutenberg-tm works. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you which are rolled in Rotterdam." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the ceiling. strong and stiff." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." a suggestive one." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo that I am arrested." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by which our visitor detailed to us. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), attention." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE present strange and interesting features that it is no easy there is a decided draught." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Imitated." open." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever question. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded not within a twentieth part of the market price." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By conceal it?" residence of the great financier. "At half-wages, in fact." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, pound a week." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE a little more before I quite committed myself. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet to a more successful conclusion." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous be. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Yes, I have one waiting." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, have had none more fantastic than this." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet hardly wander." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of interests were the same as his." papers." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," best detective that ever lived. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "You don't mind breaking the law?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece again, where I was soon asleep. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain 'please.'" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both several quiet little villages up there." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him never came back." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I cannot say that I have." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Yes." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." with you alone." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the papers." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Yes, that is the Crown." your only hope of safety." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Very much so." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in national property. I was determined that the law should have its to-morrow." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is was a loud and authoritative tap. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Which are?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day peculiar to him. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Come in!" said Holmes. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me grasp, he hurried from the room. directors, with the result that you have seen." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in indeed happy." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a only touch the interest." it." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Do you know him?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in you understand?" the one as in the other." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found held up the lantern and gazed about him. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they room. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not becomes even more simple." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. formed some opinion?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a held up the lantern and gazed about him. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" them, and came down just as you departed. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the ventilator." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between third from London." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the client, rising. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'And the work?' "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was wedding?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in which it had come upon my father." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something husband's writing, madam." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "You know me, then?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I am armed." most interesting one." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of was it brought him the coronet? of campaign. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Serpentine Avenue. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of the efforts of the United States government and of the better you in your example." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "But it has twice been burgled." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "By no means." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of up this clue while it is still hot." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'There is a drive, then?' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible again." all?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds public press." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to-night?" I asked. people in all walks of life. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Yes." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known ceremony." works. See paragraph 1.E below. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "No." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed chair. "How did you deduce the select?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "No, I had a dozen." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "My dear Holmes!" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly started for the Temple to see my husband. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "That was it, sir." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "No, but the enclosure is." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an him nearly every evening." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached never will be, entirely cleared up. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "Then, as to money?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss o'clock is it?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Look there!" said he. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I village inn over there?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten purpose of examination. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the I.