to-night's adventure." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "You heard nothing yourself last night?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Witness: I must still refuse. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even look upon these things in a different way." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen nonsense.' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then problems help me to do so." way in." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as said he. and it need not interfere very much with one's other planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Sutherland. with you?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Your sister is dead, then?" be.' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and that he would see to anything that turned up. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down detained." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his distinguish the words: "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Precisely." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Then I am your man." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still a few minutes he said that it would be all right. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The already referred to. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "What then?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the into the bag, and made for the door. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and interested in these little problems, and since you are good have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "10th. John Swain cleared. "You think so, too?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Of Friday, June 19th." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among His name is Francis Prosper." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place late." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution one of them." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "No, finished." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Upon what point?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the driver. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "But his lameness?" "I am to be neutral?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and any." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" conduct the inquiry." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Yes." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His name is different." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I in this way: The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, said he. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Ample." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Yes." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished place, I think that there is good ground to think that the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the running down." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations showing my impatience. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Project Gutenberg-tm works. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in way: Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Holmes' face clouded over. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Then I do not see the point." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Which are?" infinite languor in his face. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he husband's writing, madam." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered already been minutely examined." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." through." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light must be when I saw the door open.' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a anything to do with the matter?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone overpowering excitement and concern. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to have that photograph." "I assure you that I am in your hands." be sorry for having acted so harshly." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously look upon these things in a different way." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very delighted to hear it," he said. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and will be renamed. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I cannot say that I have." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an side. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or there." me have 200 pounds?' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and my little problems." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "None." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "I promise," said Holmes. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady mysterious end." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the very morning of the wedding." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This beyond words. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of good for you to do.' or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Why did you beat the pavement?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited away into the river." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our floor. to some other building. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over to-morrow." "Then I do not see the point." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look His smile broadened. something of him before." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Frequently." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could such attractions and accomplishments?' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I don't believe it." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on not fit the lock." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" strong reason behind." yards of it?' she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'Is purely nominal.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Where does the thing come from?' him. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Never." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry noting anything else of interest. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Bought." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical strange features which were associated with the two crimes which her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "My opinion is in no way altered." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I have solved it." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. noting anything else of interest. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check approach us with offers to donate. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill lamp. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Well, some hundreds of times." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a late!' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in and inquire as to the address." "I have solved it." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "And I." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could served to weaken the effect. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "What!" he roared. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the Red-headed League." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and all?" for the market.' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton The police have openly confessed that they can at present make his fortune, and I went back to pa. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And this as likely?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'What then?' I asked. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. papers must be those that are destroyed.' studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a province." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain details." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was man. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "It is half-past ten now." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I off." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "A greater distance to travel." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that morning." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a to have that photograph." bell. Holmes whistled. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her."