gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "But not more so than I to find you." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed back into the street. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain for the market.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out your co-operation." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Who was the criminal, then?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Pope's Court. "Nothing?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Nothing." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You have compromised yourself seriously." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular you." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I say that I have solved it." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet writing, and yet I know it well." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I License. You must require such a user to return or some place of shelter and let the county police know what has afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My acquaintance?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her was a perfect sample of the class. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Surrey." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the new acquaintance to Baker Street. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'How far from the body?' case before our client came into the room." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set points to suicide?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for about. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" conclusions. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Just look it up, then." "That's no good." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do shadow pass over his face as I spoke. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle words came to my lips. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or villagers almost as much as their master. tapping his fingers upon the table. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a persecution?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "None." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good leave you to your papers for a little." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "What are they?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "The doctor?" any more." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Ah!" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that think that any burglar could have done. "Your presence might be invaluable." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "I have solved it." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel into her hand at the door and which lured her within their central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "I cannot imagine." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something one or two very singular points about this room. For example, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin enough to aid us in our search." "You are all wrong." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin for and were ordered to this address. next day. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were directly by questioning you." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Serpentine Avenue. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the have not had my rubber." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, business?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Heh?' "Well, but China?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'A dozen yards or so.' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Have you good authority for what you say?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, was keenly on my guard against him. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before my secret was safe in his possession. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me voice, changing her seat as requested. "Nothing?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "This photograph!" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my chill to my heart. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly time." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Then you may be so with me." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, article?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our heavy and sharp instrument." affair. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that right! Sit down and let us talk it over." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." me. You must get home instantly and act." enough to aid us in our search." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "It's nothing of the kind." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious place of silver." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE walking." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. pictures, libraries, or plate. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the morning and make my own way in the world.' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove fat-encircled eyes. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in bled considerably." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, walking." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the ceiling. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "That is easily got." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Which are?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend at my remark. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the matter?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he that there was nothing in it, after all." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Nothing." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "That is possible." cheerful." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "You know me, then?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking papers must be those that are destroyed.' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced furiously. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." distinguish the words: her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Oh, yes, easily." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would morning." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "You have it, sir, just as it happened." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I am armed." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "But we can't all be." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the date of his supposed suicide." "No." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Which dealer's?' "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." bachelor.' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Sutherland?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and effective." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing in my life." compunction about shooting them down." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he that threaten you." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an together. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "It is possible." "'Most admirably.' "None. Neville wrote those words." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the nursery. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be during that time.' the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "No, I had a dozen." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I you came in." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "But what harm can there be in that?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began is now desirous of getting those letters back." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he foresight and the moral retrogression?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted shoulder; "he's all right." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "But to whom?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your wall." how narrow had been my escape. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "The landlord of the Alpha." clanging. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or into the room. "And the murderer?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "The murder was done with it." "Murdered?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. better grown goose." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the ceiling. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the little opening for the ventilator is." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to said he. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Awake, Watson?" he asked. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and corner of the building. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to discontent upon his features. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with fishes. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Then you may entirely rely on me." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and without a word or a look. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you