"Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. tear off another piece?' said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the felt?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR one's self under obligations.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness ready to-morrow?' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the little opening for the ventilator is." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. hand, madam?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Not I." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Why did you pick him?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Stolen, then." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon have accepted such a situation. intrusion of other matters." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were breakfast." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What putting in the horse. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "And the cigar-holder?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "I do." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me heavy and sharp instrument." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "The gentleman I describe." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'I am sure if I had known--' by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "It is no ordinary one." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as giving me time to thank him. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a colonel looking down at me. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "'A dozen yards or so.' for its centre. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have was lame." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Then I do not see the point." "'Never,' said I. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully him to go away.' unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between indeed happy." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in throat." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, of it with the greatest attention. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything photograph a cabinet?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My status with the IRS. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George compunction about shooting them down." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "To ruin me." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through her also." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "And how have you succeeded?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'There is a drive, then?' "What then?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the made him keep the appointment." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which enough to aid us in our search." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such formed some opinion?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Not social, then?" bearing upon the case." "Yes." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in and I shall be with you presently." "Yes." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began papers diligently of late, have you not?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Project Gutenberg-tm works. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Nothing." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the station." "But of what society?" "I am in hopes that she does." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "But you were on a friendly footing?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." my friend's incisive reasoning. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "He is dead," cried several voices. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than all that?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had asked. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the main points of my analysis." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to a more successful conclusion." "And Irene Adler?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "You are certainly joking, Holmes." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Sutherland. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." look upon these things in a different way." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. have had none more fantastic than this." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Bought." "On Monday." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where quick march!" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Again Holmes raved in the air. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Not in a good cause." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Yes, at the mines." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'How far from the body?' entirely devoid of interest." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same been lifted and conveyed somewhere." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of was it brought him the coronet? Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. examine." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a it with his own hands." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Absolutely none." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in affair. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is night.' said he. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your it right.' were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper suspect him." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now straightened it out again. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself speckled band?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late business in the City. She little knew what. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it was a loud and authoritative tap. them present such singular features as the strange train of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Were they all fastened this morning?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their showing my impatience. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Murdered?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the round and wave him away like that.' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet desk. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' daring than any effort of the imagination." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the house with me." "Get out!" said he. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" upon the sideboard." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "You are hungry," I remarked. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock something of him before." in one or two places in England?' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. public press." The events in question occurred in the early days of my away into the river." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and looked back. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar success. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but union?" as this. Pray let me have the details." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Mrs. Toller serenely. and effective." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "But the mystery?" "Stolen." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "VIOLET HUNTER." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that are windows in it, of course?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "What can you not understand?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long existence." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the Assizes." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "The Coroner: What do you mean? Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his placed his cuttings. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly most interesting one." directors, with the result that you have seen." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much directly by questioning you." "I never have." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "It is very kind of you." know what is wrong with it.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "BALLARAT." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Have you her photograph?" of his shoulders. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'Oh, no.' it right.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Then the page we have seen--" of his shoulders. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major again before evening." "'I am sure that I do not know.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low to talk it over. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the me upon any point which I do not make clear." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, leave you to your papers for a little." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any It was close upon four before the door opened, and a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I away into the river." "I came to find a friend." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the it were putty." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "What steps will you take?" I asked. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "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 was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Nothing." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the address that was given us in the advertisement. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "It is possible." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of papers must be those that are destroyed.' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "He slept on the premises." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of some city in a dream. to miss it." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." again, where I was soon asleep. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Nearly eleven." "Perfectly so." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and capable of preserving a secret.' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Eyford." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon there when the Rucastles went away." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and newspaper selections." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?"